Jesus

For Love of the King

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

The King Separates

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:34-37 (KJV)

When we take up the cross of Christ to lay down our lives with Him, there will be a separation which takes us away from the fellowship of an ungodly family. Jesus is our chief joy; loved above all people and things of this world. Even your family’s rejection of your faith will not stop your love for Jesus. Because they reject your faith and Savior, they may even reject you, and some have been known to command their sons or daughters to leave the house.

The very faith that saves takes away any peaceful existence. There will now be no peace with the enemy of God who is Satan. There will be no peace with anyone who is opposed to Christ. There will be no peace with the old friends you used to party with. Many of them will turn their back on the follower of Jesus Christ. It is because there will be a definite change in your life. There will be no peace with sin. Once you were at peace with sin and at war with the Savior; but now you are at peace with God and His Son Jesus – your Lord and Savior – and a now at war with sin, satan, and death, and all who are opposed to Jesus Christ.

If you deny Jesus because the family rejects you is not the love which Jesus gave you, nor the love He requires. Your faith, your confession, your profession, and change of life will cause them to see Jesus Christ in you. The disciple of Jesus specializes in the love of Jesus and Jesus alone. There is no room for another.

Love your family in the Lord. Don’t give up on them. Pray for them to come to faith in Jesus Christ. Don’t waver in your faith in Him, no matter what their reaction to your faith is. Be strong.

The Soul Seeks for God

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THE SOUL SEEKS FOR GOD

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:4-6

Jesus said, “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” Mark 12:29-30

Oliver B. Greene once said, “Man could not have written this book (speaking of the Bible) even if he would have wanted to; and he would not have written it even if he could have.”

Likewise God is not the creation of man.

Man does, however, create his gods. Men make their gods after their own imaginations. The gods of men are non-restraining, non-threatening, require nothing of their creators. They have eyes, but cannot see; ears but cannot hear; feet, but cannot walk. They that make them are like unto them. If there is no other reason for not making a graven image, that seems sufficient for me. I want to be like the Creator, not these flimsy, wimpy, panty waist gods, who cannot know today from the future, and who has no power over the affairs of men.

THERE IS NO IMAGE OF GOD – EXCEPT MAN.

NOTE: To make an image for worship is to lower ourselves. “They that make them are like unto them; so is everyone that trusteth in them” (Psalm 115:8).

The “Zodiak” are images in the stars. The images of “Terot” cards. Some worship men, including themselves.

THERE IS A DESIRE IN MAN TO WORSHIP. We must worship something, someone. Even an atheist worships – either herself/himself,  education, academia, government, science or something. Wherever your heart is, there is what you worship.

Go to any continent, nation, city, or tribe and you will find worshipping people. In some places you will find people who worship the sun, moon, stars, and or planets. In other places people who worship the elements – water, wind, fire. There are many, probably on every continent who worship the dead through “seances” “necromancy” – wanting to know the future. In many places, and probably on every continent, there are those who worship God in Spirit and Truth.

God has placed this place in mankind’s hearts. Without God our lives are empty and without purpose. God has put “eternity in man’s heart” so that the things of this world can never satisfy (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV, NIV).

Humans can search the world over for significance, peace, and for something worthy of their worship, but they will find none of those until they come to God by His Son Jesus Christ.

WORSHIPPING ANOTHER AND LESSER BEING. In God’s laws this is forbidden for the people of God.

Why does God forbid worshipping others? First of all, He says, “I am a jealous God”. He alone is responsible for our existence and sustenance. He is the One who has done everything to bring us to Himself. He is protective, loves us and desires that we be love Him. Secondly, He knows that whatever we worship is what we become in likeness. The Psalmist expresses this sentiment in Psalms 115, and 135. If we worship an impersonal idol with no restraints we will live with no restraints. The third reason is that He created us to worship Him, and to love Him and glorify Him.

When human beings devote themselves to another god they rob themselves of God’s glory.

To worship another is to add another burden to life. Idols have to be carried (Isaiah 46:1-2). I prefer the God who carries me.

WORSHIPPING ANOTHER AND LESSER BEING will not bring you peace, joy, fulfillment in worship, and will leave you condemned, and yet; in the end God will be glorified.

THE IMAGE THAT SEPARATES FROM GOD. “Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’ name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.” (2 Kings 18:4). It is obvious in looking at the totality of Scripture that images do not necessarily break the commandment. In Numbers God tells Moses to build a bronze serpent on a pole for the people to “look upon” – an act of obedience and faith in God (NUM.21:7-9). It is when the heart turns to that image and away from God and obedience to Him that is forbidden – to make the image an object of worship. In 2 Kings 18:4 the image of the bronze serpent on a pole is destroyed and called nothing but brass (“Nehushtan”= “That bronze thing”). King Hezekiah was angry with the people who worshipped this thing that had been a means of expressing faith in God.

Anything, from a “serpent on a pole” to a church building can become an idol. If it does it should be destroyed – at least in the heart of the one who worships it. Any object that is purposely built by another culture as an object of worship should be forbidden in our homes. To worship anything, but God is to worship demons; “What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” (1 Corinthians 10:19-22).

What is THE IMAGE THAT SEPARATES FROM GOD? Anything or anyone that takes your heart and soul away from devotion to God and seeking Him.

THERE IS NO IMAGE OF GOD EXCEPT HUMANKIND. “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:3-9. Though that image has been marred by sin, it is fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

Man is the only part of God’s creation of which God has said is made in His image and after His likeness. Remember, everytime you look at another human being you are looking at the image of God. Though this image is darkened by sin; there is light for thier soul. To murder the unborn in the womb is to murder the image of God. To curse another human being is to curse the image of God. To lie about another is to lie about the image of God.

IN SUMMARY –

I. DIRECT YOUR DESIRE FOR PEACE, SHELTER, GLORY AND WORSHIP TO THE ONE WHO IS WORTHY.

II. TO WORSHIP ANY OTHER IS TO LOWER YOURSELF TO THAT IMAGE, AND BECOME LIKE IT – WORSHIP GOD.

III. WORSHIP THE GOD OF CREATION, AND NOT THE CREATION.

IV. YOU ARE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD;

It has been marred by sin, but you can offer true worship to God through Jesus Christ – He is the image of God unmarred by sin.

Admit you have sinned, confess your sin and trust in Jesus who fulfilled all the law by meeting the demands of the law by His death on the cross, by His burial; carrying all our sins away, and by His resurrection.

The King’s Valuables

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The King’s Valuables

“What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:27-33 (KJV)

The things of Jesus Christ, especially His teachings, and the preaching of His Word are His valuables. These are very precious to Him. The Psalmist wrote, “For You have maginified Your Word above all Your name.” (Psalm 138:2b NKJV). Jesus preached with His heart toward the cross, and that should be our destination as well. Preach without the fear of men, their threats, dangers, pits, snares, and savage attempts to destroy.

Everything Jesus reveals about Himself or His kingdom to us is to be proclaimed. Three of the “fear nots” of Scripture (those beginning in 10:26) are right here in this passage of Scripture.

There is no place for “secret disciples” in the kingdom of God. If you have secret disciples you will have a secret message, and there is no secret message of Christ. It has been said, “If we fear God, we need fear nothing else”. The one who can kill the body but not the soul is the devil, the old serpent, liar and deceiver. Warren Wiersbe has said, “The fear of God is the fear that cancels fear.” God is the only one who is able to cast into Hell both soul and body. Men can destroy our body, but they cannot touch our soul.

The disciple of Christ is of value to the Lord well. He has numbered the very hairs of our head. This numbering shows that he holds great value not only of every individual believer, but even each hair of our head. Even as they fall out.

Our open confession, even to those who are hostile, is testimony of our genuine faith in Jesus. Some will profess Christ in the midst of a friendly atmosphere, but deny Him in a hostile environment. To confess Christ is to be faithful no matter the environment or culture. Our silence, at the time, is denial. Those who profess Christ in the friendly, but deny Him in the hostile will also be denied before the Father. Those who are His valuables will never deny Him, but will profess, confess, and proclaim Him any where in time and place.

God’s Covenant with Himself

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God Covenants with Himself

“And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.” Genesis 15:7-21 (KJV)

This is a rather lengthy passage of Scripture, but I hated to separate, because they are on one great event in the life of Abram. God here reassures Abram that this land of Canaan would be his heir’s possession. His question was “How shall I know that I shall inherit it?” The LORD tells Abram a way to receive a sign from Him in order that he may be assured of the promise.

A three year old heifer, a three year old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon were to be brought before the LORD with the heifer and the ram cut in half, and the birds not divided. This was a sacrifice with which God was going to do something special.

After Abram gets these animals divided and the birds laid out as per the LORD’s requirements, then, some birds descend down on the sacrifices. In my thinking it would seem to be vultures which are always after an easy meal, and in fact, are designed by God to be the clean up birds of nature’s dead. It could have also been ravens or eagles of some kind. It does not matter what kind it was. Abram knew that these sacrificial animals was not for the birds, they were for an offering to the LORD. Abram drove them away.

There are all kinds of vile and evil “birds” who flock around to steal away the sacrifice of God. The sacrifice of a devoted heart and life can be ruined by the bird of distraction. It is the vile and evil birds who like to nest in the kingdom of our Lord, and blow up the numbers of the membership of the local church. It is the evil birds who will try and take the devoted hearts with comfort and good works and steal away the true worship of the Creator (Matthew 13:31-32). It is the man of Gods’ position to stand guard over the sacrifice of God to keep the vile and unclean birds away.

Evidently, after the birds had all left, and the sun was going down, Abram went to sleep. It was different kind of sleep than just normal sleep. This sleep is likened to the sleep the LORD put on Adam as Eve was made from his rib. It is also likened to the sleep which Jonah took when he fled from the LORD on board the ship to Tarshish. The Scripture says, “A deep sleep fell upon Abram”, and an “Horror of great darkness fell upon him”. We are not told what this great horror is, but it could be what he saw in the vision. In the vision Abram learned what was going to happen to his posterity in the following few hundred years. Abram’s heirs would be strangers in a foreign land, and would be the servants of this foreign land; and would be afflicted in servitude for 400 years. Would any of us like it if the LORD were to show us what was going to happen to our posterity over the next few hundred years?

In giving Abram this vision, God was assuring him that they would possess this land of Promise. It would not be without affliction though. Abram was also assured that the land of their captivity would also be judged, and the people who came from Abram would leave that land of servitude with much wealth. Abram is given assurace that he will die in peace in a good old age. In the fourth generation of his people in the land of captivity they would come out as God has said. God is the God of grace and mercy. With the Amorites; the one’s who are at this time present in this land; God gives them several hundred years to change their ways, repent and turn to Him. When they do not their time has been filled, then, the descendants of Abraham will come and, cleanse and possess the land.

The present condition of the land of Canaan with Abram is vile, and wicked, and awaits the day when holiness shall come in. This land also represents the hearts of mankind. The land of our hearts need redeemed, cleansed, and possessed by pure hearts, right with God. Hearts made right and pure only by the grace of Almighty God.

There was a “smoking furnace”, and a “burning lamp” which passed between these pieces. This in a substantive picture is the very presence of God walking in the midst of these pieces making covenant with Himself concerning His promises to Abram. It is possible that the “smoking furnace” and “burning lamp” are symbols of the affliction of the children of Israel in bondage. Though it is not mentioned in this text it is quite possible that these two fiery items burned up the sacrifices, and sealed the covenant with God and Himself. In this promise of the land there is nothing required of Abram. Though this covenant is made on Abram’s behalf the covenant is with God, and certainly God will not go back on a promise He has covenanted with Himself; nor will He with us. ” For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,” Hebrews 6:13 (KJV). You can trust the LORD, His Son and His Word. There was another covenant made between the Father and the Son; and that was the covenant of the cross. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is our guarantee of Heaven. The eternal reward for all who believe His Son.

The Suffering King and His Subjects

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 It is good to be back, and I had a great break away from blogging, but I am also glad to be back.  I will probably be posting writing from the Gospel of Matthew one week, then Genesis the following week, and posting other articles dealing with life, family, morality, legalism and such.  There will also be articles concerning Israel.  I had a dear friend who is with the Lord now who always said, “Keep your eyes on Israel”, and I have believed that too.

Jesus even told us, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28).  The Middle East is a place of war, and it mostly involves the nation of Israel.  Let’s be aware of what is going on there.

Now the message from Matthew’s Gospel:

King – Master, and Disciples

“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.” Matthew 10:24-26 (KJV).

Jesus hid nothing from His disciples. He let them know “right up front”, that the life of a disciple, a follower of Himself would suffer persecution. It is important that the disciple strive to be like his/her Lord and Master. It would be somewhat foolish of us to think that we could follow this One who gave His life for us, suffering for our sins, and us not suffer with Him or like Him.

It is good for the disciple to suffer like His Lord – “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:17 (KJV). If we were to assume that our Christian life is to be without persecution it would be an insult to the ministry of Jesus.

When the disciple of Jesus follows Him all the way to the cross there is nothing to fear, or dread. When they have called Him who is the essence of holiness, the embodiment of God who is Righteous, Just, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Immutable; Beelzebub, ie. the devil; then we can know too that we can be called that or worse. It does not matter what the enemy of God says about those who follow His Son. The truth will be revealed in the end, and those who hate the Truth will be seen.

Just as it will be revealed that Jesus Christ is the Messiah of Israel; it will also be revealed who is vile, evil, and the God deniers, and God haters.

Jesus loves you and has shown that love by dying for your sins; and He desires that you come to Him, and receive eternal life.

The King, His Sheep and the Wolves

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The King, His Sheep, and the Wolves

There are brothers and sisters in Christ in other parts of the world today who are suffering beatings, losing their earthly possessions, losing their families, losing their jobs, and losing their lives because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” Matthew 10:16-20 (KJV)

It is interesting the way our Lord uses the likenesses of “sheep” and “wolves”. Sheep our weak, always in need of protection, and need of a shepherd to lead them to the right place for grazing, ie. feeding. A flock of sheep without a shepherd will eat in a place until there is nothing left to eat, and then, starve. The wolf, on the other hand is strong and often vicious. The vicious temperment is the thing which Jesus is wanting us to see. They protect themselves, they hunt for food themselves, and in our case sheep is their food.

In our study here the disciples/apostles are the sheep. Those who would follow Jesus are likened to the sheep. It is said that Jesus upon seeing a group of people saw them, “as sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34). Jesus is our Shepherd. He leads us to still waters, green pastures, gives us peace and leads us through valley’s of death. His rod is used for our correction and our comfort. (See Psalm 23).

Anyone who would tell us, “O, the Christian life is a breeze. It is really easy. There is no difficulty in all the world for the Christian” is living in a fantasy land, and is deceived or out and out naive. The reason I included that last statement is because I preached a sermon in a church a few years ago, on the struggles of being a Christian, and following the message and the end of the evening service, one dear lady of the church came up to me, and quickly told me, “I have not found the Christian life to be difficult, but rather fulfilling, and a joy”. I think I told her that I could agree with the latter part of what she said, but that there was still difficult times being a Christian. Jesus is warning us in the text of just that. There are people who are going to hate, and despise us, because they hate and despise our Shepherd.

The wolves of course represent false teachers who would teach things contrary to the gospel of Jesus. They actully seek to destroy those who are true to Christ and the truth, and the Church of the Lord Jesus. They bring in the “damnable heresies” (2 Peter 2:1) which Peter the apostle writes of. These teachers/preachers know that what they say is not in keeping with Biblical/orthodox Christian teaching. At the least they have themselves been deceived by the enemy of Christ. This is why the true followers of Jesus Christ must be vigilant to present the gospel and the whole counsel of the Word of God (Acts 20:27).

When we are treated with such vehement hatred, and disdain we are to respond as Jesus would and did. Jesus tells us, “Be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves”. As for the wisdom of serpents they do not seek the attention of men; but rather are prone to avoid attention. The following is commentary from John Gill from the e-Sword version of his commentary:

  • The serpent is a very sharp sighted, cunning creature, and uses various arts and stratagems for its own preservation, and especially of its head; and is so far to be imitated by the followers of Christ, as to make use of all proper methods to preserve themselves from the insults and rage of men, and not expose themselves to unnecessary dangers: and, as much as in them lies, they should be careful to give no just occasion of offence, or irritate, and provoke them to use them ill, and to avoid all snares and traps that are laid for them; and, at the same time, maintain the innocence and harmlessness of the dove, being free from all wicked cunning and craftiness, without rancour, malice, and wrath; not meditating and seeking revenge, but meek and humble in their deportment, leading inoffensive lives, and proceeding in the course of their calling, though liable to many insults, and much oppression.

When we look at a dove we see a bird which is so quiet, peaceful, and genteel. The dove as most people know is recognized as the symbol for peace all over the world. For the Christian the dove is a symbol of the presence of God’s Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who is to rule our hearts, even when we are being persecuted.

There will be times that we will be delivered to the judges, and we should trust the Lord to give us the words to say. Trust Him completely, and not be worried about what the world says as we go about doing the will of our Lord and God. All Christians should count it a joy to be brought before kings and governors, because they need Jesus as Lord and Savior too. The Holy Spirit speaking through us does not come without us working at studying, reading, and applying the written Word of God in our lives. When the Word of God is needing spoken it will be there in our hearts and minds, only if we have hidden it there (Psalm 119:11).

LORD, How are YOU Going to Fulfill YOUR Promise?

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LORD, How are YOU Going to Fulfill YOUR Promise???

“And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:2-6 (KJV).

There is a new name for God which comes into the picture at this point. That name is “Lord GOD” or “Adonai YHWH”. The “YHWH” is where we get the word Yahweh or Jehovah. God introduced Himself as Jehovah previously in chapter two as LORD God or Jehovah Elohim. Jehovah is the personal name of God, and this name, as you will see by reading chapter two was during the time we learn of how God made Adam and Eve and names them. With His giving His personal name He gives personal names to His crown of creation. “Adonai” means = master, lord, or ruler. By using “Adonai Jehovah” Abraham is ascribing to the GOD he knows personally, as also being his Master, Lord, and Ruler.

This question is asked with faith. In other words, Abraham has believed the promises of God, and he is curious as to how the promise of an heir is going to come about. The man even offers God a way out. The “steward of my house is this Eliezer…”. “God, you have given me no heir, but there is a man who was born in my house. You could have him as my heir”. I see in this the element of faith. He knows God’s promise, and has not seen it happen yet, so he is concerned about God’s keeping His attributes in tack. It seems that the man would have kept on beliving the Lord GOD, even if he and Sarah adopted Eliezer as their own son. Abraham still had to learn that God says what He means, and means what He says. God will fulfill His Word just as He has spoken it.

God is not pleased when we try and dance around His promises. There are too many professing Christians today who try and do dances around the teaching of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and His death, burial and resurrection. They do dances around it by saying things such as we believe it, then we must keep it by our good works. They do dances around it by taking the glory, by their good works, that belongs only to our Lord and Savior. Then there are those who trample all over the Lord’s promise of grace. They trample upon it by giving license to sin. They would not dare call it that, though, they use a good Biblical term like “Christian liberty or freedom”. Since when does the Christian have license to sin? Never. Christian liberty is for the purpose of growing in Christ, loving Him, following Him, serving Him. Where we were once the servants of sin we are now the servants of righteousness – His righteousness.

“This shall not be thine heir”, God says to Abraham. Your heir will be your’s and Sarah’s own son. God had said it some time ago, but God’s promises never fail. It matters not for how long you wait. God will come through and just at the time that really counts. You and I cannot see the total picture, or the “Big Picture” which God sees. He sees the beginning and the ending. Think of it this way. You have watched the very end, the winning moment of a NASCAR race at Taledega Speedway. You watched that exciting moment while you were at a friends home, and you happened to come in, turned on the TV, and there it was. You had your own recorder on at home recording the whole event, now you see the end. Now you know the end. You can go home turn on your television and recorder/player tivo or what ever you use, and you see a whole lot different race than the one you saw, but you still know who is going to win. Well, God is even better than that. He not only knows the beginning and the end, but He also directs the events that goes on in between. He is involved, and committed to fulfilling His own Word. He will not allow one word to fail, or neglect to accomplish His purposes.

God took Abraham outside of the tent to behold the stars. This would be one of Abraham’s great events in His life. At least it would be to me; for God to speak to me and say, “Look now toward heaven…” that would really mean much to me. I am always looking at the stars in wonder, knowing that such a wonderful matchless, glorious Creator could place that within my eyesight, to behold its beauty, and to glorify His name. Could Abraham number the stars? Can you? Some Scientists have come up with a computer generated guess. I do not recall what that number is, but it is an enormous number. “…If thou be able to number them… so shall thy seed be”. An innumerable amount of people coming from the lineage of Abraham is the promise of God.

Abraham, then, we are told, “Believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness”. This is a tremendous declaration promise. Abraham has done nothing, but believe God, and God declares Abraham “Righteous”. The only way to the righteousness of God is by God declaring us so. He declares us so through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus paid the sin debt that was ours. His burial carried the guilt, the shame, and filth or sin far away, never to be seen again. The bodily resurrection is the evidence that Jesus was victorious on the cross in defeating sin, death, and the devil and his minions of hell. If you do not believe in the only means of atonement for your sin, there is no salvation.

The King’s Messengers Going

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The King’s Messengers Going

As we look at this tenth chapter we will see some great things concerning those who were Jesus’s disciples during that time while He walked as man among mankind whom He created. We also see some great things concerning disciples of Jesus through all of time.

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” Matthew 10:5-15 (KJV)

The disciples of the King are sent forth and they go where He sends them. He tells them not to go to the Gentiles. His message is first to the house of Israel; His people by birth (“He came unto His own, and His own received Him not” John 1:11 KJV). This was a “Command” of the King. “Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”, and as Paul the apostle wrote, “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”.

Jesus will not always send His disciples to the most comfortable places. For the most part the places where it is needed that we go may be the most uncomfortable, and seemingly forsaken. It is the King’s command to go. He sends us to where He will.

Of all the people who should have known and recognized Him it should be the house of Israel. Why? They had the writings of the Word of God. They were a called out people to a special task. They had been chosen by God to receive the oracles of God, preserved them, present them to the world, and to live them for the glory of the Lord. They had continually received the mercy and the grace of God; and were on display to the world of the graciousness of God.

The very fact that their Messiah would send His messengers to the house of Israel shows that He saw their greatest need. That greatest need was not miracles. It was Himself; but they finally would reject Him, try Him, find Him guilty, mock Him, crucify Him, but ultimately they will be delivered by Him.

The message of the heralds/disciples is that the kingdom of the King is at hand. The kingdom for which Jesus addresses is His kingdom, and it is near. The time of His rule on earth is coming soon. Some may look at this and think, “Well! It has been nearly 2000 years since He spoke these words and it is not here yet”. On that I would differ. He has said that it is near and that it is “In you”. The message of John the Baptist was “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” Matthew 3:2 (KJV). The message of John and Jesus were the same. A call to repentance because the kingdom was approaching soon.

My idea of the kingdom of heaven is probably unlike many of our day, particularly in Baptists circles. The kingdom of heaven is the rule and reign of Jesus Christ in all creation. It is not the salvation of the lost, though, it could include that. It is not a program to get Christians active in doing the “work of the kingdom”. It is the present activity and reign of Jesus Christ in the hearts and lives of people, and all the created order. We cannot help but be involved in it. We can decide whether we will be active or passive in our involvement, in proclaiming the message of His kingdom. The message of repentance for the kingdom of heaven is at hand is still a needed, and pertinent message. We must proclaim the kingdom of our King.

Usually when we decide to go somewhere, particularly if it is of some distance and will take some time, we prepare and get ready to go. This commissioning/sending is urgent. It requires leaving without preparation, packing, and there is certainly no time for parking. People are perishing is the urgency of the call. This is not saying that one does not need to be prepared with knowledge of the Word of God, and dealing with people. When you have got filled up body, mind and soul, the work of the gospel of the kingdom is not one that requires a lot of baggage. The beginning of Abraham’s journey of faith shows us quite clearly that when we begin the journey with excess baggage God has a way of getting shed of it. On the beginning of his journey his father died. When they got into the Promised Land to stay the herds of Lot and Abraham grew where the herdsmen of both men began to quarrel, and so they separated there, thus Abraham is now without the baggage he began with.

The things Jesus spoke of in verses 9-10 was baggage. Baggage they would only have to keep up with. It was a way of dealing with only what is important in life. It is the way of the King to say, “You will need to trust Me on this mission. You may not understand, but I will provide all your need, as you walk with Me”. There will be those on the journey who will come to your aid, and you will not be tied to all those worldly possessions. It allows us to do what we must do with diligence and haste, in the fear of the LORD.

Wherever the disciple/herald of the King goes he needs to be a stable influence on the people where he/she is. If the disciple moves from one good home to another there is absolutely no picture of stability. John Gill writing on this writes:

“and there abide till ye go out; of that city or town, to another city or town: for to be often changing houses would bring upon them an ill character, as if they were difficult to be pleased, not content with the provision made for them; and would look as if they sought to serve their own bellies, and gratify their appetites, more than to do good to the souls of men; and besides, moving from the house of a bountiful man, might bring some reproach upon his character, as if he had not used them well, and therefore left him. In short, Christ’s meaning is, that he would not have his disciples be difficult, and dainty, or fickle, and inconstant, but be content with such things they should have provided for them; and not seek for other, and better quarters, nor fear being troublesome where they were.” From e-Sword commentary on Matthew 10:11.

The disciple is to be a source of faith and stability, and not one that seems to be always uneasy, unsure, and dissatisfied. How stable do the Christians of 2007 and beyond appear before a world who needs the message of the King, and the King Himself.

One thing that is most needed by the disciple of Jesus Christ is discernment. It looks to me like there are many Christians who are laying “discernment” aside for the sake of “Unity” so called. Giving up on presenting the Christ like life as one of holiness, sound thinking and a sound mind. Many are more concerned with what draws a crowd than they are with holiness, and being separate from the world. Use it if it draws the people is the pragmatic approach in “ministry” of the day. The early disciple never used that approach. What did they do? They proclaimed the message of the King, and left the results up to the Spirit of God and each individual heart who heard the message of the kingdom.

Most of us, I am fairly certain, have been in the home of an individual where you had been invited in, but you just did not feel at all comfortable. As a matter of fact your thoughts were, “I am getting out of here just as quickly as I can”. It is sad to say, but in far too many homes the Christian and the message of Jesus Christ is not at all welcome. They do not want to hear it, most of them will tell you so, and there is no light in that house at all. The disciple of Jesus is not to have any part in that house, but go to the other where there is a warm welcome waiting.

When those disciples went into a house or a city and they were not welcomed warmly, that place was to be treated as though they were heathen by the Jews. “Shake off the dust of your feet” was the words of Jesus. Sodom and Gomorrah would be treated better in the day of judgment than that house or city who does not welcome the disciple of Jesus. Some do not agree, but the Bible does teach degrees of punishment in eternal hell. Verse 15 here in our text, and others. From Vine’s Word Study of e-Sword:

“Mat 10:14 – Shake off (ἐκτινάξατε) “The very dust of a heathen country was unclean, and it defiled by contact. It was regarded like a grave, or like the putrescence of death. If a spot of heathen dust had touched an offering, it must at once be burnt. More than that, if by mischance any heathen dust had been brought into Palestine, it did not and could not mingle with that of ‘the land,’ but remained to the end what it had been – unclean, defiled and defiling everything to which it adhered.” The apostles, therefore, were not only to leave the house or city which should refuse to receive them, “but it was to be considered and treated as if it were heathen, just as in the similar case mentioned in Mat_18:17. All contact with such must be avoided, all trace of it shaken off” (Edersheim, “Jewish Social Life in the Days of Christ”). The symbolic act indicated that the apostles and their Lord regarded them not only as unclean, but as entirely responsible for their uncleanness. See Act_18:6.“

The disciple of Jesus the King needs to realize the tragedy of rejecting the message of the King and His kingdom. We should also warn all those who are in the way of rejection. God is never pleased that the wicked perish. (Read Ezekiel 18. See verses 23 and 32). Thus, the message of the King’s kingdom must continue. Receive the King and His kingdom.

Man of Mystery

/ Tim A. / 3 Comments

Man of Mystery

“And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.” Genesis 14:17-24 (KJV)

It is with fascination that I notice that when one has his treasure in this world he falls with its kings and is captured like all the possessions. However, if the heart is on the Lord you will never fall.

Lot, backsliden, his heart drawn away by the pleasures of the world, worshipped the material, and went into captivity with the material. Abraham worshipped the God of Heaven and delivered all the people and their possessions from the captivity.

It is also interesting to notice that when Bera, the king of Sodom shows up, that Melchizedek king of Salem, and priest of the Most High God [El Elyon] comes to Abraham’s aid. Bera comes offering Abraham great material wealth as a reward for his victory. Abraham has, however, vowed to God that he would not take any reward from these perverse and rebellious people, lest they claim they have made Abraham rich (vv. 22-23).

Mechizedek’s appearance is reward enough for the “Friend of God”. Who is this Melchizedek? He is only mentioned twice in the Old Testament – here in Genesis and in Psalm 110:4; and the most mentioned of him is in the New Testament book of Hebrews. This scarcity makes him somewhat of a mystery character. Who is he? This Old Testament account calls him the king of Salem [present day Jerusalem]. He is called “the priest of the most High God [El Elyon] = “Possessor of heaven and earth”.

It seems that we are given license in Scripture of Melchizedek as a “type” of the Christ. “Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” is written in a messianic Psalm (110) prophesying of the throne at the Father’s right hand, and His judgment on the nations.

There are good and godly scholars and pastors who believe Melchizedek to be a pre-incarnate visitation of Jesus Christ. The problem with that is he appears as an earthly king to Abraham – a highly honored one to be sure – yet he is the king of an earthly city. Another problem is Paul spaks of him in Hebrews 7:3 as, “…Made like unto the Son of God”. This certainly implies “type” or “Shadow” rather than substance.

In understanding who Melchizedek is we must first realize the mystery involved. Understand also, that, Scriptures were “God breathed” inspired by the Holy Spirit, and sometimes what is missing is, or can be a clue to correct interpretation. In Melchizedek’s case we have no record of his genealogy; “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life”. Yet, the Holy Spirit gives us a genealogy of our Lord’s human birth.

Let’s compare the two. Melchizedek: “Without mother or father”; no birth, nor death; A gentile priest of God; King of righteousness; King of Salem; A priest continually. Now let’s look at the One who is the substance of the shadow – Jesus Christ: without mother or father – in his deity only; no birth, nor death – also in deity only; a priest of God from the tribe of Judah (Both Melchizedek – Gentile priest of God, and Jesus – are declared by God to be priests); King of righteousness; King of Jerusalem; a priest continually – “after the power of an endless life” (Hebrews 7:16).

The comparisons are many. The one, however, is a shadow of the substance.

Abraham worships the “Most High God” by giving “tithes of all”. A tithe is one tenth. It is encouraging to notice that the tithe was initiated before the law of Moses. Not being subject to the law makes it a wonderful starting place for giving. To give less would be to insult the grace of God. Giving God ten percent of all acknowledges Him as Lord of all. We are to give willingly, cheerfully, proportionately, and promptly. Ten percent is a good starting place, but as God blesses the one’s who have a giving spirit will want to increase their giving for the glory of our Lord (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). This is proportionate giving, “…as God has prospered him”.

The true worshipper of God gives all to God, and withholds nothing.

The King and the Sheep

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The King Meets the Need of the Sheep

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38 (KJV).

Jesus has gone through the cities and villages and taught and preached and given healing, deliverance from the evil of demons. Yet, he looks with compassion on all and sees a great multitude in need. He sees them as being in need of a shepherd. They have no shepherd. Jesus sees a “Harvest”, a time for reaping, and bringing in the crops. This harvest represents people who are ready to be delivered from their condemned status. Their sins weigh heavy on them and they are eager to trust Jesus as their Savior, their Deliverer.

Multitudes of people stand awaiting judgment from our holy and righteous God. How will they stand before Him? On the right hand or on the left hand? Does it make a difference? It seems to make a difference according to Matthew 25:33 – “And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” (NKJV); “Then He will say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels…” (Matthew 25:41 NKJV).

The abundance of the harvest exceeds the sufficiency of the laborers. Jesus says, “Pray for laborers for the harvest”. One cannot sincerely pray for laborers without eventually realizing they are being sent. This word “Sent” can mean; to thrust out. Awakened to the need; out of our comforts; out of our apathy; out of our complacency. We ought to be praying that we lose everything that hinders us from being laborers to a people who are on the wrong end of God’s judgment. A double barrel, twelve gauge shotgun is a wonderful instrument; unless you are on the wrong end of it. The same with the judgment of God. The only way of being on the right end of His judgment is to be in Christ Jesus.

The King, and a Mute

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The King Meets the Need of a Speechless Man

“As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.” Matthew 9:32-34 (KJV).

The blind men who have received their sight do the obvious thing. They go and bring a demon possessed, mute man to the Lord. They had gone and told this mute of a man who could heal him, and brought him to Jesus. We are told to go and tell, but we won’t. Have we forgotten, or did we ever know the greatness of our Lord and Savior and King?

When Jesus cast out the demon the man was able to speak. It seems probable that the man was deaf and mute caused by demonic possession. Very often deaf people – especially those born deaf – are unable to speak. They have no means to learn to speak if they cannot hear. When Jesus casts out the demon the man now can speak, so if we assume that this man was deaf as well as mute he is now completely healed, no more oppressed by the demon; he can now hear and he can speak.

There is a man in this scene who is even worse off than the demon possessed. The man is controlled, not by a single demon or a number of demons, but controlled by hatred, fear, and the holding of tradition of his religion over truth. He attributes the works of Jesus to the works of satan. He is blind to the truth of who Jesus is, and those who condemn Jesus, thus condemn themselves. They are sentenced to the same destiny as the devil and his demons. To blaspheme the name of Jesus puts one in great peril, but to equate the work of Christ to the devil is to blaspheme the Spirit of Christ, and there is no repentance for that.

The King and Blind Men

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The King Meets the Need of Sightless Men

“And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.” Matthew 9:27-31 (KJV).

There are two not so blind blind men who have follwed Jesus from a distance. The reason I say, “Not so blind blind men” is that they had clearer vision of the identity of Jesus than that of those who professed to seeing. The Pharisees had physical eyesight, but no spiritual eyesight; these two who were blind, had no physical eyesight, but they had 20/20 spiritual vision. They who had eyes to see, see not. The blind men recognized Jesus. They must have heard and known the prophecies of the “Son of David”.

They believed Him even though they were blind. Others were believing because of His powers, and instead of the Scriptures. As soon as He is gone they are practically unbelieving. Many of the crowd who later cried out for His crucifixion, and the release of Barrabus were those who had followed Him only because of the signs. Those who follow Him because of His Word are faithful without the signs.

Jesus gave these men their physical sight. Now, they had vision for this world and the world of new life in Jesus Christ.

Jesus gave these men a “Charge” to tell no one about this event. I wonder how they could remain silent. They did, however, disobey the Lord, though I really doubt that it will be held against them. The following is commentary from the Gill Commentary on this topic —

“and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, see that no man know it. This was a very strict charge, and according to the signification of the word here used, it was given with great austerity of countenance, and severity of expression, in a very rough and threatening manner; which Christ might be the rather induced to, because he had given such like orders already, and they had not been observed: the reasons for concealing the miracle are not very obvious; it seems likely, that with the same view he took no notice of these blind men in the street, but went into an house, and cured them; which seems to be, to shun all appearance of vain glory, or seeking popular applause, that he gave these orders; or it may be, he did not choose to be made more known by this miracle, or at this time, or by these men; he might foresee that it would be attended with ill consequences; either the more to irritate the resentments of some persons against him; or to put others on doing things which were disagreeable to him; as setting him up for a temporal prince among them, being David’s son.“

It could be that these are not being commanded to be quiet about the miracle of their healing. Their healing would be obvious for all to see. They might have been told, rather, to be quiet of His identity as “The Son of David”. At least that is a thought to consider. To have gone and boldly proclaimed His divinity as the Son of David would have caused Him greater discomfort, larger crowds, distraction from what His main reason for coming was. Remember His purpose for coming in the likeness of sinful man, yet without sin, was to die on the cross to put away sin, and reconcile God and mankind. These were actually some of the things the devil would have used to sidetrack Him from His task.

Doing good things, and giving good words and acts can often be distractions to doing the will of God. That is something we all need to be aware of. Is it possible that doing good things are not always the godly way?

A Scorned Woman

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The King Meets the Need of a Scorned Woman

“And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” Matthew 9:20-22 (KJV).

This woman was an unclean woman. It was not due to anything she could prevent. If you will think about it sin is something you or I cannot prevent, but it keeps us from our holy God. The woman could not worship at the synagogue because she was defiled. This woman was in a crowd of people as Jesus was going to the home of Jairus where his daughter was dead.

Something that is not noticed in Matthew’s Gospel alone, but is revealed in Mark’s gospel is that the girl that Jesus raised to life was twelve years of age, and this woman had had this infirmity for twelve years (Mark 5:42). The significance of this “Twelve years” I am not sure. If I remember the numerology correctly the number twelve represents a completed government. Maybe, it represents that in the King’s kingdom there will be no uncleanness, or death.

This woman had spent all the wealth she may have had on physicians who did her no good; she has come to this place for this very moment. To touch the Master, the King, the Healer, the Great Physician; and she doesn’t care who sees her or knows. She does know that she is considered unclean, so as not to bring any supposed shame to the Master she “secretly” touches Him, though He immediately knows. I have this suspicion that He may have known she was going to touch Him for that very purpose. One thing we can be assured of is, that there are no surprises with God.

With this event happening as they are on the way to Jairus’s home this even surely strengthened the faith of Jairus. Seeing her touch only the hem of His garment and her health being restored. You can be sure that this healing was a legit healing, which lasted for her lifetime. This defiled woman touching the One whom Jairus had asked to come and heal his dead daughter. This woman probably touched a tassel on His garment. These tassels represented faithfulness and loyalty to the Word of God and holiness to the Lord – every Jewish male wore them. It was the practice of the Pharisees of the day to lengthen them to show their supposed piety. Jesus did not mind being touched by the ceremonially unclean. This woman’s healing gave the ruler further evidence of Jesus’s power. The woman was not only delivered from her physical uncleanness, but her spiritual uncleanness as well. Jesus’s pronouncement, “Thy faith hath made thee whole” is stating such as this healing and cleansing. One can be physically well and not be “Whole”.

Be whole by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, and the power of His resurrection.

Look God’s Direction

/ T. A. Blankenship / Leave a comment

Looking God’s Direction

“And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD. Genesis 13:14-18 (KJV).

There is an obvious difference noted between Abram and Lot. While Lot was told by Abram to choose the land he “lifted up his eyes” toward what appeared to be the most prosperous, fertile, and probably beautiful land in Canaan and chose it without God.

Abram, however, was submissive to the Lord’s direction. Guided by God’s Spirit he sees through the eyes of God. God says, “Lift up now thine eyes”. Abram’s heart was set on the things of God. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34).

God’s promises incorporate all the land that Abram sees. It will be his and his children’s “Forever”. Now, who are the children, or seed of Abraham? “Children of the promise are counted for the seed” (Romans 9:8). Those who have a faith like Abraham. It is physical and spiritual, because God has given the land to a people who are going to have faith in Christ Jesus, the Messiah of Israel. It is the Church which is made up of Jew and Gentile – spiritual including all races.

A promise of posterity numbering like the “Dust of the earth”.

God commands Abram to “Arise, walk through the land.” This, an act of faith also was a point of ownership, given by God.

Abram moved once again. This time remaining in Canaan claiming more land under God’s authority for the nation God would prosper and save the world. Again, he builds an altar. We need our altars to the Lord. It is an act of faith, submission, and worship to God. The altar is the place of our submitted, obedient, worshipping heart and life.

A Ruler’s Need

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The King Meets the Need of a Ruler

“While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.” “And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.” Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26 (KJV).

This man of the synagogue could very well represent anyone who is in a place of authority. This man’s name is Jairus. We know His name from reading the gospel according to Mark and Luke (Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41). Why Matthew does not name Jairus is not known, at least by me. Jairus being a religious ruler, when his daughter became very ill, suddenly did not care what his friends and associates thought about what he did.

This religious authority recognized a superior authority and worshipped Him. It is amazing what real needs do to people. A sense of desperate helplessness drove this man to a man his peers hated, despised, and counted as a blasphemer. Certainly this ruler recognized the truth of Jesus’s statement in verses twelve and thirteen. Now he needed a physician, at least for someone he loved and cherished, and that was his need too.

Jesus and His disciples followed Jairus home. They found the girl to be dead. Death offers no hope in the scene. The mourners are already mourning her death. Jesus, however, came into the world to deliver those who are “dead in trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1), and giving physical life to this girl is evidence and proof positive that He had power over life and death; both physical and eternal. The dead cannot have faith until there is regeneration. Jesus says, “The maid is not dead, but sleepeth”.

At the statement of Jesus’s words of assurance the people present at the home of Jairus’s family laugh at Jesus. We are told,

“And they laughed Him to scorn” – “Scorners who laugh at what they do not understand, are not proper witnesses of the wonderful works of Christ.” From Matthew Henry Concise.

In the eyes of Jesus the young girl was only sleeping. Her body was dead, or sleeping as Jesus said it, but her soul and spirit were very much alive and alert. Death is but a sleep from which we can only be awakened by the power of Jesus. Those who make a mockery of Jesus are put out — run off. The girl arose from her “Sleep” at the touch of the voice of the Master – King Jesus.

At the voice of the King, our Master, we receive new life through Him.  He is the resurrection and the life.  That is our greatest need.

Sinners Follow the King

/ T. A. Blankenship / Leave a comment

Sinners Follow the King

Have you ever asked yourself the question, “What happens when someone joins the military service?” Those who are accepted into service basically give up their lives. They don’t sleep until it is commanded of them. They run on orders. They walk on orders. They basically have no life of their own. The become the “property” of the government which they serve. In the United States our soldiers are supposed to be under the care of our government as well. If one gets sick the government cares for it. If there is a need for dental work, we care for it. Housing and food is provided while in training and in service during war, at least.

I hope you see the picture we need to see in this message. When we choose to follow Jesus as He calls we forsake everything and follow Him. We are no longer our own. We belong to a new Master. We realize that it is by His hand we live, move, breath and or sleep. We are at His beckoned call morning, evening and night – 24 hours per day. It just might be at the expense of our life. It cost Him His for us.

When we follow Him we become His representatives of the healing and reconciliation power He alone gives.

“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. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:9-13 (KJV).

In the thinking of the people of Jerusalem in this day the Tax Collector was a despised individual of their society. They viewed a fellow Hebrew as a traitor to have such a job. The friends of the tax collector was usually other tax collectors, because no one else wanted to be near them, nor did they want to be identified with them in any way.

Jesus finds Matthew (Luke calls him Levi in Luke 5:27) sitting at his usual site collecting taxes from the people. The Master extends a call to Matthew as, “Follow Me”. There appears to be no question, no hesitance; he just gets up and leaves his place of work, and follows Jesus. Matthew probably hated the job of tax collector anyway, but had chosen to do it because he needed to make a living, and it was the only means he had. When Jesus came along and gave him the recognition that He did, and spoke to him as though he were not a despised tax collector, but a man in need; he immediately left his despised position, and followed Jesus.

We also find that Matthew invites Jesus to his home, and has invited his friends to come and meet Jesus. When Jesus has so dramatically changed your life it is an exciting thing to tell others of what Jesus has done for you. The “Publicans” are the tax collectors. “Sinners” is reference to any who did not see themselves as better than others in religion and such. They also were the despised and rejected of society. We need to understand that Jesus still befriends sinners and calls them to Himself. Those who are clean – in their own eyes – try to find fault with the One who is pure.

The words of Jesus in verses 12 and 13 is a strong reference to the self-righteousness of those who attack Jesus. Jesus is stating quite clearly that physicians treat only those who come to them, but Jesus went to sinners; He came down for us didn’t He. There once was a time when doctors made house calls, but no more. It is almost so in the spiritual area of life as well. If the sick do not see themselves as sick they will not seek after a physician, even if one is standing by.

The one’s who hold the oracles of the faith have the means of healing sin sick souls. The doctor who has the means of healing and because of some bias or bigotry withholds healing is not a caring, compassionate individual. This is what the Pharisees were guilty of. This is what Christians are guilty of who withhold the gospel of Jesus Christ from others.

No one is righteous apart from faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work. Self-righteousness is seeing oneself as good enough without need of someone else to save. People come to this state of mind by keeping their own set of standards; or at least appearing like they do; and by adding “Loopholes” to God’s standards. Those who practice this sort of self-righteousness are also quick to condemn those who are already condemned, and offer them no hope.

The people who depend on Jesus and His righteousness are more apt to practice mercy (Hosea 6:6), and show Jesus in the way they live. Rituals were meant to be a means of worship, but they can often get to the place where they become a form of self-righteousness (Amos 5:21-24). It is quite clear from the teaching of the Old Testament and from the life of Jesus that He hates ritualistic sin that leads to a lack of mercy toward others. When people depend on ritual as their righteousness they often judge others without mercy.

We have been given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). The ministry of the resurrected Jesus Christ has been entrusted to the care of those indwelt by the Spirit of Christ Jesus for the purpose of reconciling sinners with the Father. To bring to God those who are separated from Him – the despised of society, the broken, the hurting, whosoever will. Jesus starts by reconciling us to God the Father. It is a privilege and an honor to bear, to the world, the most wonderful message the world will ever hear.

Only the despised, the broken, the sick, the forsaken can hear the voice of Jesus, and receive His righteousness. When you are so full of yourself, there is absolutely no room for God or His Son Jesus.

The Kings Power Over Sin

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The Kings Power Over Sin

“And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.” Matthew 9:1-8 (KJV)

Does Jesus have power to forgive sin? This was the question the people were asking, especially the religious rulers. They hated Jesus in the first place, and they came at the situation not really looking for the truth, but for something to charge Jesus with. They could have charged Him with speaking the truth. They could have charged Him with love for the people. They could have charged Him with practicing successful medicine without a license. They could have charged Him with many positive things, and been happy that someone such as Jesus had come to their town.

We need to realize that sin not only cripples physically, but also emotionally, and spiritually, and these religious leaders were certainly crippled spiritually. They were so weak spiritually that they could only see other’s sins; and not their own. They were blind to the things of God.

Jesus and the disciples have entered the ship once again. This time they are leaving the land where the demons have been cast out of the people and into the swine, only to the chagrin of the owners of the pork. Upon their reaching the Capernaum side of the Sea they go to Peter’s home; at least it is believed to be. This has become our Lord’s base and place where He lays His head. You can see in this first verse that it is referred to as, “His own city”, and the home of the apostle Peter was in Capernaum.

The house was full and overflowing with people. Peter’s house was a place of much activity. Mark chapter two gives us more details, and the gospel according to Luke in chapter 5 tells us that it was so crowded that the four friends who brought the paralytic went to the roof top, tore away the tiles, and let this man down through the hole with a rope; putting him right in front of Jesus.

Without question. Without permission. Without any authority whatsoever. These men were believing that Jesus was their friends healer. It is also evident that the man on the pallet was also a man of faith. He was the one allowing them to let him down before Jesus.

Jesus recognizes faith when He sees faith, and He recognized it here. Faith always recognizes the higher authority. It is the act of believing without seeing; submitting to the One who is the power and in power. Faith, true faith, recognizes God. True faith has God as the Person in whom we believe, trust, live, and have our being. The only way to get to God is to come by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

The greatest need for mankind is forgiveness. We need the forgiveness of God. We need the forgiveness of one another. We need to receive the forgiveness God has given us. When this man was let down by the rope into the room with Jesus the first need Jesus met was the man’s greatest need. That greatest need was the need for forgiveness. He needed forgiveness of sin. We are not told what caused this man’s paralysis, and it does not matter; but one thing we can know is that all sickness, disease, paralysis, and emotional and mental sickness is the direct result of sin from the beginning. Had it not been for the fall of Adam and Eve, into sin there would have been no sickness or disease or crippling falls. All would be well.

Jesus pronounced the man, “Forgiven”. Jesus actually said, “Son, Be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” (NKJV). Do we have to imagine the release and freedom this man must have experienced. All who have come to faith in Jesus have experienced this freedom from guilt, freedom from sin, from the devil, and from all unrighteousness which hindered us from doing the works of the Lord.

Some of the religious leaders did not appreciate Jesus speaking words of forgiveness of sin. “Only God can forgive sin”. Thes scribes were raging inside unwilling to believe that Jesus could forgive of sin. It was the belief of the religious leaders and probably others that there was a group of people who thought that healing would only take place after all sin was forgiven, and done away with. They also believed that only God could forgive sins. And this was what happens with their discharge of accusing Jesus of blasphemy.

They were, of course, right in believing that only God can heal. They needed to realize who it was who was standing before them. This was deity. This was God. “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made’, ‘without Him was not anything made that was made”. They had yet to realize this great truth.

These accusers knew Old Testament law. They are bound by their own binding, obtrusive traditionalism. They refused to believe tht these powers came from God, thus they certainly would not recognize Him as being God in flesh [incarnate]. On this thought John MacArthur writes, “Their (the scribes and Pharisees) hearts were so hardened against Christ that every miraculous evidence of His divinity and messiahship drove them to deeper unbelief rather than a repentance. Even His most gracious and loving words and acts drove them to greater fury against Him.” JOHN MACARTHUR COMMENTARY ON Matthew, Vol. 1, p. 53

God is the only one who can forgive sin, and make us whole. That is who Jesus is. The power to heal, and to forgive sin is an awesome power which belongs solely to God.

These religious leaders [the scribes] should have known better than to argue with the Creator of all things. He knew their thoughts. This alone should have been a clue to them that they could stand a chance of winning against Him, nor should they have even dared to try. The scribes had just accused Him of “Blasphemy”. For someone who was just human and not God-man to make the statements Jesus did would have been blasphemy. His power to forgive sin was His right, because He is the incarnate God. Even though this was simply in their thoughts and maybe whispered quietly among themselves Jesus knew.

In the thinking of the day, and sometimes in our own, the supposed thinking is that this man committed some vile act of sin and this is why he is paralyzed. It was the easiest thing to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, but that would not make it so, except in this case it came from the Forgiver Himself. The forgiveness of sin is unseen, but the results will be seen, and Jesus not only announces this man’s sins forgiven, but heals him as well that they might know that He had power of forgiveness of sin, and power to heal. To say “Arise and walk” would give evidence one way or the other. It would be the most difficult thing to do. It does become evident by the one who was crippled.

We must admit and confess that all sickness, disease, and sorrow is a direct result of sin. There are times we are judged specifically for some sin. Other times affliction comes upon us to prove our faith. Jesus does not correct their belief that this was caused by sin. The cripple believed it to be a result of specific sin. Jesus forgave his sin

The argument Jesus presents is this – “If I have power to heal an infirmity caused by sin, then, I also have power to forgive the sin.”

The power of Jesus was revealed in His words. Jesus told him to take up his bed and walk. “Go to your house”. The man got up and went just as Jesus had told him to do. When the people who were present saw this spectacular miracle of God. You can be fairly certain that there was a fear that crept through the crowd that was present that day. The scribes were still unbelieving. They saw nothing except someone and some thing to condemn. It matters not to mere traditionalists that people are hurting and suffering; they just want things to be right with their tradition. The multitudes were awed by this revelation of power – the Person of the power. They glorified God the Father. That is, of course, where Jesus intended the glory to go. Only God has power on earth to forgive sins, and to heal.

What was the greatest marvel of all? It was not the healing of an ill or maimed body; but the healing of an ill and maimed soul. It was ill and maimed by sin; eternally separated from God; an enemy of God. Made whole by the works of Jesus Christ. Let us, too, marvel that God has given such grace and power to men. It is given to all who receive God’s Son Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Being A Disciple of Jesus

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Being A Disciple of Jesus

Matthew 8:18-23

Disciple making is the business of the local church. It is the call of God for every Christian to be a faithful, follower of Jesus, and to make disciples of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission says just that, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” and that word “teach” is for making disciples. Disciples are made by teaching them. The disciplemaking of Christ is teaching people to follow Him.

Let no one think that following Jesus is a life of ease, comfort, popularity, or praise. Jesus gives us ample warning of the trials and tribulations that come into the Christian disciple’s life in the following portion of Scripture we see some of those things which come, or are part of the Christian disciple’s life. I am saying “Christian disciple” because there are “Disciples” of other causes, of religions, and men; and need to differentiate between the follower of Jesus Christ and the riff raff of the world.

“Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” Matthew 8:18-22 (KJV).

One of the things we can see about Jesus and His ministry is that He had no desire for popularity. His sole desire was to be pleasing to the Father and fulfill His will and Word. The reason we can know this is because when many had already been to Him for healing of their sicknesses and diseases, and deliverance from demons He called to His disciples to “depart to the other side”.

On the other side was a place of rest. It was a place where Gentiles dominated the lands. That is evident because of the herd of swine mentioned in verse 30. No law abiding Jew would be raising pork. The reason for Jesus’s departure to the other side was partially rest, and to get away from the crowds. There are many false teachers who love the crowds, at least love their accolades and praises. They also love the huge offerings a large crowd can provide them for their lush homes, fancy cars and clothing. You will never hear a false teacher revealing the sins of the people’s hearts and lives. The crowds will not come to hear the truth.

Every where Jesus went His presence drew a crowd. He saw people hurting, and ministered health to them, and that is why many sought Him out; and when He started preaching on the hard things, they departed (John 6:1-59ff.). “Will you also go away?” Jesus asked His disciples.

A scribe breaks ranks with the other scribes and does seek Jesus out asking to be His disciple; at least he is looking into the possibility. This scribe must have been fairly well off. Jesus knows all men’s hearts, and surely this man’s heart was set on his security in having a home, a secure place to live, sleep, eat, entertain, and to be comfortable. This scribe soon learned that the life of a disciple was a life of sacrifice. Jesus said, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head”, as saying if you are going to follow me you can have no ties to this world that will keep you from doing My will. It is a life with no house, no comforts, no securities. In Matthew 10:16 we read, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16; saying to us that all we have is what Jesus and the Father gives us. Sheep have no protection except the Shepherd. Sheep have no sustenance except by the wisdom of the Shepherd. Sheep have no shelter, but by the Shepherd.

Jesus also said, “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” Matthew 10:39. The scribe evidently did not approve of the cost of being a follower of Jesus. We never hear of this man again. We are not even given his name, just, “A certain scribe” as though he were only a parable; an illustration so as not to pattern one’s life in the same fashion. What is the cost of discipleship? Let’s hear what Jesus says, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” Matthew 16:24-25.

There was another disciple who came to Jesus seeming to be willing to follow Jesus. We see that he was wanting, though, to wait for a more convenient time. He says, “Let me first bury my father”, but his father was not dead. What he was asking was for the ability to wait until dear old Dad was gone, and then, he would inherit the inheritance. He was still tied to his family; basically the family inheritance. He is evidently the elder son of the family who was the one whose responsibility it was to care for the father’s estate.

When the call comes to follow Jesus, that is the time to go, and follow Jesus. Family, and/or family inheritance is no excuse for putting it off. Are we being told to neglect our wives, children, elderly parents, etc.? Definitely not. Jesus is telling us that following Him is of the highest priority. We can be faithful disciples of Jesus, and as a matter of fact are the most faithful; when we disciple our families into Christ, as well as others. The disciple’s seeing to it that his/her family follows Jesus is the disciple’s greatest achievement. If we were to win the world and lose our own children what have we achieved?

I know of faithful disciples of Jesus Christ who have served as pastors, loved and cherished their children, and those children depart from the faith. I mean to place no guilt on any faithful follower of Jesus, only to stress that we must begin at our homes.

As disciples of Jesus we must value the eternal over the temporal – that which is only temporary. The first man [the scribe] must have decided that the cost was too high. He could not give up the life of comfort and ease that he had been living. He had a nice home, a place to lay his head, and it was his. He could not part with the security of a walled home, and the protection he thought he had in it. The second man, giving him the benefit of the doubt, shows that he has concern for his family. It would be more beneficial for him to follow Jesus, for in following Jesus his whole family could and might also come to Jesus.

Remember Jesus’s words, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” Matthew 16:24-25 (KJV). The life of the follower of Jesus is a crucified life as Paul the apostle described it, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” Gal 2:20 (KJV).

He Took Our Infirmities

/ T. A. Blankenship / 2 Comments

He Took Our Infirmities

Matthew 8:1-17

We begin now to see the accounts of Jesus’s healing ministry. He is showing Himself as the Prophet, Priest, and King, though the message of Matthew rest upon His being King of kings.

We see in Jesus that He is unafraid of touching the sick, even lepers, for in this passage He does exactly that. He touches the leper. Jesus touches the “Unclean leper”, because He sees a man who is healed. We have a Roman Centurion coming to Jesus seeking for healing of his servant who is sick of “Palsy”, and “grievously tormented” and the Centurion is a Gentile. The third individual who is healed is a woman, Peter’s mother-in-law. We see Jesus touching and healing three of the “outcasts” of society of that day.

In these miraculous healings we see Jesus taking the infirmities upon Himself. He was touching the untouchable according to ceremonial laws. Even before the cross He is taking our sin upon Himself. Of the evening following the healing of the three individuals there are many brought to Him for the casting out of demons (these are all first mention for Matthew’s Gospel) with only “His Word”, and healed all that were sick.

 

Jesus operates His ministry without any racial prejudice, without any fear of contracting disease, and shows no favoritism toward the gender of any individual.

“When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.” 8:1-4 (KJV).

According to Old Testament Law when an individual was afflicted by lepersy they were pronounced “Unclean”. They even had to wear a protective cover over their mouth when in public and cry out “Unclean, unclean” (Leviticus 13:44-46). Lepers were “outcasts” the Jewish society. It played no cultural or societal favorites, nor according to gender or race. They were forbidden to mingle with the healthy people. There is one disease, which socially is similar to leprosy in today’s society; and that is AIDS.

According to Warren Wiersbe “Leprosy is an illustration of sin”. It is deeper than the skin (Lev. 13:3), it spreads (Lev. 13:8), it defiles and isolates (Lev. 13:45-46), it is worthy only of fire (Lev. 13:52, 57). AIDS has similar likenesses as a disease. It seems that there is no direct known cause for leprosy, while AIDS has come upon us as an affliction, mainly upon the sexually immoral. It still passes on – spreads – through blood into “Innocent” victims. None are left untouched by sin.

This leprous man came to Jesus. This of itself broke the law of the leper. We are told that the leper “Worshipped Him”, and in worshipping Him he is recognizing His deity, and His sovereignty. This man has been greatly humbled, and is submissive to the sovereignty and power of Jesus, as he says, “If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean”. He is willing to accept the will of Jesus, and he is not demanding, but humbly asking. Jesus heals this leper, and gives him commandment to go and obey the law of Moses concerning the matter of the law of the lepers. This was in order to fulfill the law. Lepers were rarely if ever healed. There is really only one Biblical account of any Jewish individual being healed in the Old Testament, and that was Mirriam (Numbers 12:10. Read chapter 12 Numbers to see why she became leprous). In my thinking it would almost seem that by Jesus sending the healed leper to the religious leaders He is making a statement, and they will be approving the healing, in that they recognize the healing. This would give them no excuse not to believe Jesus is genuinely their Messiah. By keeping the law and sending a healed leper for ‘cleansing’ He stifles their hypocrisy, and shows it as death.

“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” 8:5-13 (KJV)

A Roman soldier shows a great faith, and in behalf of a servant of his household, who is suffering from a palsy with great pain and suffering. The Gentiles were hated and despised by Jewish culture; as were slaves. Here we have a Gentile praying for his slave. The Centurion is commended by Jesus, for his faith. Jesus warns of willful ignorance and eternal judgment upon those who have seen, written, interpreted, and yet have no faith. He, as Messiah, was in the midst of His people doing His mighty works, yet they did not believe (John 10:37-38). He warns them, that just because they are physical descendants of Abraham, does not make them his spiritual descendants.

The very hour Jesus spoke healing the slave/servant was healed. In this instance it was according to this man’s faith. This is usually not the standard, but it can apply.

The “children of the kingdom” mentioned here are the children of Israel who have refused to believe the message and that He is the Messiah. The only place for all who will not believe Jesus is to “be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth”. “That many shall come” are evidently the Gentile masses who would come and believe Jesus and His Word that He speaks. “East and West” is from around the globe.

We know that due to this man’s faith his servant was healed that same hour. The man understands the principle of authority, and trust the authority which he sees in Jesus. His recognition is one that shows the deity of Jesus; because who but deity has authority over sickness and disease? There is none but God.

“And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.” 8:14-15 (KJV).

The final individual who is mentioned is a woman in bed with a sickness, and this woman is Peter’s Mother-in-law. A common prayer for Jewish males in Jesus’s day was, “I thank Thee that I was not born a slave, a Gentile, or a woman”. Of course, no one would desire to get leprosy. Women held no honored position in Jewish society.

Peter’s Mother-in-law is very sick, and she must have been really ill, because she is in bed. People of that era did not stop working just because they felt a little ill, with an upset stomach or something like that: they kept to their work. She seems to have been sick, even possibly to the point of death.

Jesus touched her hand in a special way, a special touch, a healing touch. She was a Jewish woman. Jesus may have been stating by this touch, “I have not forsaken my people. They are sick, but in Me there is healing”. By healing the Gentile’s slave, and the leper He showed an open door to sinners and Gentiles of every land. Israel in her illness will be touched again by her Messiah. The woman, being healed, arose and served Jesus and the disciples. It was an immediate healing.

“When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” 8:16-17 (KJV).

By all these healings it seems that Jesus is making a point to say to one and to all, “I am the King of all people”. We find it stated in these verses a quotation of Isaiah the prophet from Isaiah 53:4, “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted”.

Here we find Matthew’s first mention of Jesus delivering people from demon possession. It is called “Possessed with devils”, and He did it by His Word. He did not use a method of any ritual. He did not even use any prayer. He simply spoke the Word. When we are confronted by demons and demonic activity it has been given to us to speak His Word to the people. Where His Word is heard, accepted, and believed demons must flee.

Jesus may have been heckled by the demons as He was suffering on the cross, but it was not for long. He crushed the head of the devil at that same cross, and the evidence of it is the resurrection. The stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and Jesus is alive forever more.

The Righteous Judge

/ Tim A. / 4 Comments

The Righteous Judge

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV).

Many of the false prophets and teachers are those who are relying upon their “good deeds” to get them into presence and pleasure of God. They believe that by their many deeds they surely will be allowed into God’s house. They have, according to them, healed the sick, cast out devils, and preached in His name; why shouldn’t God allow them in?

The reason they will not get in is because they are not known by the Savior. Someone is going to say because of this statement, “I thought God was omniscient.” He is. God does not know them in the sense of salvation. He has not declared them to be righteous/just. They have, in many cases, gone around doing good all their lives, but have spent that time relishing in the praises and accolades of the crowds they have preached to and performed before, and in fact neither do they know Him.

They are in fact self-deceived people. Because of a “Prayer of decision”, led by someone else, and false assurances given from men, and not from the Word of God they go from the church “altar” thinking all is well and there has never been any change made in their lives toward God, grace, and salvation. They fail to examine their own lives – “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV). Some may go on into religious activity, but there is no joy, peace, love for God or others; but duty alone to please God, and so their activity is their means of obtaining God’s pleasure; which will ultimately be to no avail. They are sometimes ones who believe that God surely must have a set of scales and will weigh the good on one side, and the bad on the other, and they just know that the good will outweigh the bad. Thus, we have God owing them a debt.

Many will speak of Jesus and of God. There are many who speak of Christianity, but know not the Christ. They speak vain words. Even the word Jesus Christ becomes only a means of “Fire Insurance” rather than a personal Savior to know, love, cherish and worship. The Righteous Judge: who is Jesus Himself will say to those who do not know Him and are not known by Him; “I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity”.

Notice, that He attributes what they have deemed as good works, as iniquity.

Baptists and Allah

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There is a growing pressure for Christians to refer to God as Allah, especially when trying to witness to muslims.  It is a sad state of affairs when we have fallen to the state of thinking we can give in to Islam, and also think we can win them to Christ with what has been called the “Camel Method” or something along that line of thought.

From all things that I have read, heard and studied Allah was and is a pagan god.  The moon god of a people of the era of Mohammed.  Evidently the patriarch of Islam was trying to give legitimacy to the worship of the moon.  Now we have professing Christian Baptist trying to tell us how to witness to Islamic people by this method that, in my opinion and I believe also by the Word of God spells S-T-I-N-K, and that is the word “Stink” for those who can’t spell.

God says in His Word, “I am the LORD, and there is none else”  Isaiah 45:6, and He also says, “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside Me there is no savior.”  Isaiah 43:11, and Islam believes they need no savior.  In essence they believe they do not need the true God, Jehovah, YHWH. 

I just heard of a Catholic priests who may be suggesting we start calling God “Allah”.  I can understand them saying that, but not a  professing Christian who happens to be a Baptist.  May God forgive us.  I for one will not call my God “Allah”.  He is bigger than that.  He is greater than the moon, for He created the moon and all things that are around it; both that that is seen and that which is unseen.

Look to the hills and the heavens if you will, but I will trust in the LORD of the hills and the heavens.  His real name is Jesus the Incarnate God.

Reminder of His Love

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In the last article on this chapter of Isaiah, the final verse of our text was the last part of verse 19 which tells us, “And the fear of Me is not in you,’ says the Lord GOD of hosts.” That is usually the reason for departure from God.

As we look into the following verses we see the Lord having them recall their deliverance from bondage, then playing turning against their deliverer.

For of old I have broken your yoke and burst your bonds; and you said, ‘I will not transgress,’ When on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down, playing the harlot. Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me into the degenerate plant of an alien vine? For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before Me,’ says the Lord GOD” Jeremiah 2:20-22 (NKJV).

One of the things that we can see throughout God’s dealings with the chosen people is that He loves them. His grace is everlasting, and His mercy endures forever. That is a theme for His people throughout all of Scripture.

God had delivered His children from the bondage of Egypt, and burst the bonds which held them. He had done this in just a matter of days while working in Egypt throught he plagues upon the land and the people. They witnessed the mighty power of God. Not just Israel, but Egypt witnessed this awe-inspiring events which turned the heart of Pharoah, at least for a time, to let God’s people go.

The people had promised God they would not transgress His law. They did. That is why the declaration is made, “When on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down playing the harlot”. The pagan, Gentile altars were on the high hills, and under the trees. God is charging the people with spiritual adultery. That is, the forsaking of the true Husband for an imposter. They had turned away from holy God for unholy pleasures. They had forgotten the attitude of Moses. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way –

“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoah’s daughter, choosing rither to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” Hebrews 11:24-26 (NKJV).

The prophet Isaiah in a previous time had spoken of Israel as a vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7). He speaks of the Husbandman planting the vineyard, but all He received were wild grapes. God says through Jeremiah, “Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality”, and now they have turned their backs on God and are worshipping stone, wood, flesh. They have in fact become an “alien vine”. That is not what God planted. That is the picture we see.

When they have made themselves unclean before God, they then, evidently feel guilty, try to wash themselves clean with the strongest cleanser they have available that day. They would go and worship the false gods, taking pleasures that should not have been their’s to have. After their violation of holiness with God they would then seek to make themselves clean before God, and without true repentance.

Thus God says, “Yet your iniquity is marked before Me”.

The lesson for the follower of Jesus Christ is that we have been delivered from sin. Our sins have been forgiven. The law of the Lord is written in our hearts. We are free to live righteously, holy, and undefiled lives through the power of the Spirit of Christ who lives in us. When we sin we have an advocate with the Father. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9. There is need for repentance and that is a turning from sin and to the Lord Jesus.

BF&M – God: The Son

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One of the very basic doctrines of Baptists is the belief and Biblical teaching of the deity of Jesus Christ.  The Bible is quite clear on this teaching, and it is clear from much of Jesus’s own words.

Here is our Statement of Faith concerning Jesus Christ:

B. God the Son

Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord.

Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.

Jesus was with the Father in the creation of all that is.  It is even said of Jesus, “All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made” John 1:3 (KJV).  Then, again in Colossians the apostle Paul wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.”  Colossians 1:16-17 (KJV).

When you follow the ministry of Jesus through the Gospels you see much more than a man.  You see God who became flesh; “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (NKJV).  We see Him changing water to wine (John 2); we find Him walking on the water (John 6:15-21);  we see Him feeding five thousand people with only “five barley loaves  and two small fish” (John 6:1-14);  we also, see Him stilling a storm on the sea of Galilee (Matthew 8:23-27).  That is only a small number of the mighty things which Jesus did as the Son of God, God become flesh as He walked among men.  Only God can do these mighty things.

Jesus, also claimed deity for Himself. “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.  Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbat, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.”  John 5:17-18 (NKJV).  There are many who will admit that Jesus is the Son of God, but will not confess that He is indeed God incarnate.  If indeed He is the Son of God, that in itself declares He is God.

It is in Jesus Christ alone by which we are saved.

I am Tim A. Blankenship

LOOKING FOR JESUS – GENESIS (2)

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LOOKING FOR JESUS – GENESIS (2)

“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10c). Can Jesus and the gospel be found in the Old Testament? It is my declaration that He can and that the gospel is there as well.

Look in Genesis 3. This is the chapter of the fall of man and sin entering into the world. After the sin of Adam and Eve we find God’s declarations to the serpent, to Eve and last of all to Adam. Within this chapter there is a prophecy of a Savior who would come, and a type (picture, shadow) of what would take place by that Savior who would come. This is what we will look at in this post.

In God’s Word to the serpent He said (v. 15), “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.” We can see the enmity (fear, strife) between the serpent and the children of Eve. It is even present to this day. When I see a snake it causes fear in me. That is one of God’s creatures which I want absolutely nothing to do with. In my mind they are a symbol of all that is vile and wicked and evil. If you want to handle the things, you go right ahead. If it bites you you cannot blame anyone but yourself. The same thing is true of sin. When you play with sin, it will bite you, and it already has.

The seed of the woman, the one who would bruise the head of the serpent is the promised Redeemer who would come. When Eve had Cain it seems as though she expected him to be the one. There was such expectancy. It is seen in what she named him “Cain…I have gotten a man from the Lord” (4:1). It was not to be Cain, because he was not a man who had a heart for the things of God. This prophecy would not be fulfilled for about four thousand years. It is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. On the cross, upon which Jesus died satan (that old serpent) “Bruised the heel” of the seed of the woman. Upon that same cross the head of the serpent was not only “bruised” but the power of satan was crushed, and his authority over men taken away. After the cross Jesus rose from death showing that He was indeed the Son of the living God (Romans 1:4). By that same resurrection we have the promise of eternal life.

There is also a shadow/type of the cross seen in this chapter of Genesis. In Verse 21 it says, “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” Now in the minds of some, this verse may seem very insignificant, but I do not think it will be to many who are reading this. Remember Adam and Eve had been warned by God that they would die if they ate fruit from the forbidden tree. Now they had eaten fruit from the tree, and God provided redemption for them. It was a covering for their sin. It was in the form of animal skins, and I personally believe the skins to be lamb skins. This was the first time death had come into the world, and it was God who did the killing. In this shadow of the cross there were animals put to death for the sins of these two sinners. God in his holy and righteous way provided a means of salvation which would bring salvation to the human race. To think that God in His wisdom, power, love and grace was showing us the wonderful life of Jesus Christ in providing covering for Adam and Eve. They had tried to cover themselves in fig leaves, but it was not good enough for God. The “Fig leaves” of religion, self-righteousness, good works, or ceremonial laws will never satisfy the righteousness of God. The blood or the righteous Lamb of God alone has done that.

Isn’t the love, grace and mercy of God something wonderful. It is the most wonderful knowledge that we could have. It is, in fact the most wonderful thing we could have in our lives.

MESSENGER OF HIS GLORY

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MESSENGER OF HIS GLORY

Revelation 10:1-11

Jesus is unveiled as the ruler over the sea and the earth, by a heavenly messenger, and His Word is the source of the message of assurance, forgiveness, and judgment.

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 10:1-3 (KJV).
In this tenth chapter we have another “Rest spot” (between chapters 7 and 14),between the sixth and seventh judgment. The seven seals are divided the first four from the final three and the last three seals divided two and one with an interlude between six and seven. The same is true of the seven trumpets. The first four are judgments upon eht things of earth, sea, man and the celestial creation. The next three are “Woes” pronounced upon wicked men with the first two woes in chapter nine, the interlude between 9:21 and 11:14. The seven vials mentioned later are divided the same with the shortest interlude being between the sixth and seventh vial. They will be discussed later in the study of the Revelation.
This, “Another mighty angel” has been described by some scholars and others as the Lamb of God – Jesus Christ. Since when does scripture call Jesus “Another…”. The thought of this being Jesus just does not fit. Those who equate this to Jesus look at the “Little book” and the slight description given of the angel and compare it to the book mentioned in chapter 5 which has the seven seals. The description does not fit chapter 1:13-16 description of Christ.
We must take Scripture for what it says here – “Another mighty angel…”. This is an angelic being with great rank. He is an angel of brilliant spendor possibly even surpassing the beauty of Lucifer’s original beauty. SEE Ezekiel 28:12.
The “Little book” in his hand is a book of great importance. It is with this book in his hand he sets his right foot upon the sea and his left upon the earth. This seems to imply ownership of all the earth. Remember the seventh trumpet is going to sound, and God is here declaring, that, although He is about to turn the earth over to Satan’s evil rule he (Satan) will still only be allowed to a certain distance and no further.
This angel shouted for some reason and sounded as a lion roaring. It appears to actually be a shout of victory; an assurance to the prophet and the reader that God is victorious.
“Seven thunders” could be connected with the “lightnings and thunderings and voices” mentioned in 4:5.

And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. v. 4 (KJV).
What ever these seven thunders spoke we have no clue. John understood what they said, and was about to write them down, when he was commanded to “Seal them up and write them not”. There is a mystery here. A mystery which only the apostle John heard, and quite possibly so awesome that it could be beyond our understanding. But woe to those who are on earth when their voices are heard.

And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: 7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. vv. 5-7 (KJV).
There seems to be further evidence that this angel is not the Lord Jesus.
The first thing that tells me it is not, is, that he “Sware to Him that liveth for ever and ever”. The risen glorified Jesus would have no need to do that. He is the “Fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9). He is the One who lives “For ever and ever”.
The second reason is that, if it is Jesus He could sware by Himself (Heb. 6:13).
This is simply an angelic messenger of God’s ownership upon His creation. Afterall, all things are under His feet. He can send an angelic messenger if He so chooses.
The fact that the angel is standing on the sea and the earth seems to imply that time is up. This last phrase of verse six is indicative of that. “There will be no more delay” (NIV). “There shall be delay no longer” (NAS). “There should be delay no longer” (NKJV). The verse does not imply no more time (seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, etc.); unless it could be applied to repentance; and read, “No more time for man to repent”. The clear implication is that time is up. The full force of God’s wrath is come. Evil will be eternally put away.
Verse seven is a strong affirmation of the above. John speaks of the seventh trump. At the sound of the seventh trump, “The mystery of God should be finished”. What is this mystery? There is much said in the Bible about mystery. Some of these God reveals to His prophets, and has revealed them.
1. The mystery of the Church (Eph. 5:32);
2. The mystery of iniquity (2 Thes. 2:7).
The above are only a sample of mysteries of the Bible. These two probably fit with what John is writing. With the sounding of the seventh trump; the final martyrs will be slain, the gospel ceases and judgment falls on the whole earth. The seventh trump also begins the “seven vials of wrath”. If you will remember the seven seals judgments only affected one fourth, then, the seven trumpets affect one third, but when we get to the seven vials it seems to affect the whole earth, because there is no mention of the amount of earth or population affected.
The work of those who are His on earth is finished. The bondage of, and control of sin on earth is finished as well. Only wrath remains. Mankind has no more time for repentance at the seventh trumpet. Because mankind has rejected God’s atonement for sin through faith in Jesus Christ, the iniquity of mankind and its judgment will be put on the God-haters. God provides the way through the cross of Jesus for man to come to Him and be saved. If we reject that way there is no other, and judgment is imminent.
God warns people through His servants He calls prophets or preachers. God reveals judgment to certain ones and as God’s servants, they warn people of judgment. This shows God’s abundant mercy (Amos 3:7). He owes man nothing, yet His mercy is astounding. One day, though, His mercy will cease. Woe be to those who heed not His warnings.

And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. 9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. vv. 8-9 (KJV).
Now we get back to the “Little book” mentioned in verse 2. Its importance is noted in that it is mentioned in two different segments of this chapter. More attention is given it in the latter part of the chapter.
What the “Little book” is we cannot be certain. However, there are some very likely possibilities.
It is not the same book as mentioned in chapter 5. Notice this “Little book” is open; the book of chapter 5 is sealed and only the Lamb could open the seals. There is also no mention of size of the first book. This one is clearly identified as a “Little book”.
John is commanded to “Take the little book”. No man could take the book of chapter 5.
There is, however, much room for disagreement on this “Little book”, and who this is who is holding it.

And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. 11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. vv. 10-11 (KJV).
John takes the book from the angel. He is then commanded to eat the book. This is a similar experience to what Jeremiah and Ezekiel had. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 (KJV). “But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. 9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; 10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.” Ezekiel 2:8-10 (KJV). “Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. 2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. 4 And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. Ezekiel 3:1-4 (KJV).
This book must be the written Word the Lord has given to us which we call the Bible. It is the message we are to take to those who know about God, but are separated from Him, and to those who have never heard of Him.
Christian, the Word of God was given to us for spiritual food. We savor it, long for it like a woman in love with a man and the one she loves is away for a period of time, but he sends her letters. She cannot wait to read them. She reads them over and over to get every word and let those words penetrate her soul and feel h im near her heart. The Bible is God’s love letter to His people. If you do not love His Word and “Eat it” you are not His lover.
John was warned that if he ate the book it would be bitter in his belly, but sweet as honey in his mouth. That is how the Word of God is to His people. To “Chew on it” is sweet, but when the Spirit of God begins to brood over us, the Word is swallowed, and is digesting our own sin is revealed to us, the tragedy of sin in others is seen, and just like Ezekiel we are sometimes angered by the bitterness but, “The hand of the LORD is strong upon me [us].” The effect the Word has on us is often bitter, but the outcome is for God’s glory.
John is then told to prophesy [preach] again to many people.
Some people have a problem with this revelation being prophetic and say it is history. “If it is prophetic..” they say, “what good is it for the Church?” It is prophetic for John. We see John as an apostle of the Church and representing the Church throughout the entire Revelation. So what John is told to do the Church is being told to do. That is, until these things are fulfilled the Church [you and I] are to preach the Word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. You and I are the MESSENGER OF HIS GLORY. This includes the message of warning of coming judgment upon the earth, and for people to prepare to meet God.