“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me.”
John 5:25-30
Son of man
Be Alert, Watch
“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. and if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.”
“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
Luke 12:35-40
How does one “Be ready” when it comes to the second coming of Jesus Christ? While we are waiting for that day we must devote ourselves to Him, being diligent to pray, read and study His word.
Best of all we must have Christ as our Lord and Savior. That comes when you get to the place that you recognize Him as One who gave His life to redeem you from your sin, then, you confess Him as Lord, and believe that God has raised Him from the grave.
Be saved today, and that is the beginning of being ready, being alert, and watching your life for Jesus.
Honor The LORD’S Holy Name
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, ” Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before Me as the uncleanness of a removed woman. Wherefore I poured My fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it: and I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them. And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned My holy name, when they said to them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.’ But I had pity for Mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, ‘Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for Mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify My great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.’ ”
Ezekiel 36:16-23
Knowing how to honor GOD’S holy name is not hard. Do the opposite of the evil things which the people of Israel/Judah did.
For example they reached a point in their lives that they did not need God anymore. Many were living comfortable lives, wealth and ease of life. We ought always remember the LORD and honor His name.
Here is the way we honor His holy name:
- Fear God; and you will fear nothing else;
- Give Him thanks, praise, and worship all through each day beginning when you are getting out of bed in the morning;
- Read, study, hear and do the word of God, not living a hypocrites life;
- Always remember you are always a witness for the LORD’S goodness, love, mercy and grace, and that others are watching you.
To know God’s grace through the cross of Jesus Christ is the first way of honoring the name of the LORD.
Going Up To Jerusalem
I have heard froAnd Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
“Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again.”
Matthew 20:17-19
m Bible scholars, and teachers, many of whom have been to Jerusalem; that no matter from which we you are coming to Jerusalem, you are always going up to Jerusalem.
The Lord Jesus had His eyes set on the one day that He would go to the city one final time, and He would give His life that the world might be saved.
Hear what Jesus says,
And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
“Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again.”
Matthew 20:17-19
Though, it is not written as the words of Jesus chapter 16:21 tells us that Jesus told them that He was going to Jerusalem, suffer and die, and that He would rise again. It never seemed to sink into their understanding. Then He tells them once again in chapter 17:22-23 and they still do not get it. They believed that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:13-19).
The twelve disciples were blinded by their own understanding of what the Messiah was supposed to do. They were possibly come to understand, and believe that the Messiah was only a Savior for the Jew, and not the Gentile. They did not understand the meanings of the prophecies of His first coming, they were thinking the Christ was coming to conquer Rome and deliver Israel and set up His kingdom on earth. They were wrong, and soon found that out.
Every prophecy concerning the Messiah was fulfilled in the coming of Christ as a suffering Servant, and He was faithful, even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).
As we are getting near the end of the Gospel according to Matthew, we know that what Jesus spoke was true, and is still true; Christ Jesus died for our sins. It is not the best way of salvation; it is the only way of salvation. No one will be saved by keeping the law, or by living by the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus and His death, burial, and resurrection is the only way.
To Stand Before The Son of Man
“…And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:34-36
Delivered To Die
And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And He took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, saying,
“Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles: and they shall mock Him, and shall scourge Him, and shall spit upon Him, and shall kill Him: and the third day He shall rise again.”
Mark 10:32-34
You Be Ready
“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
“Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
Luke 12:35-40
…All things that are written… shall be accomplished
Then He took the twelve, and said unto them,
“Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished. For He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and they shall scourge Him, and put Him to death: and the third day He shall rise again.”
And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
Luke 18:31-34
God or Man?
And He began to teach them, that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And He spake that saying openly. And Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned about and looked on His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying,
“Get thee behind Me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.”
Mark 8:31-33
Speak My Words
Moreover He said unto me, “Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that roll. 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. 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
GOD Is Not Silent
And the LORD said unto Moses, “Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.”
Numbers 27:18-21
But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of Man suffer of them.
Matthew 17:12
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us: for in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, “For we are also his offspring.” Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.
Acts 17:24-29
The Son of Man – The Son of God Coming Again
“…But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall He send His angels, and shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven…”
Mark 13:24-27
Being Ready
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.” But the wise answered, saying, “Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us.” But he answered and said, “Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh. Matthew 25:1-13
Without being too complicated, and I do not believe Jesus intended the understanding of this parable to be hard to understand; I will keep this short and simple without trying to explain every item within it. There is one simple message to the parable of the ten virgins. I will state it in one sentence.
The Lord Jesus is coming again for His bride, which is the Church, and if an individual does not have the Holy Spirit abiding in them, they will not make it.
If you are not ready with the Holy Spirit in you (Romans 8:9) then you will find yourself standing outside the door of the Savior crying “Lord, Lord” and He will not let you in. You receive the Holy Spirit by repenting of your sin, calling on the name of Jesus as your Lord and Savior in faith, knowing that He died on the cross for your sins, He was buried, and He rose again. Call on Him today.
When You Find Yourself Up A Tree
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who He was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see Him: for He was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up, and saw him, and said unto him,
“Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.”
And he made haste, and came down, and received Him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “That He was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” And Jesus said unto him,
“This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:1-10
When I was in High School I had a Vocational Agriculture teacher who would take some of us coon hunting in the Ozark hills here in southwest Missouri. It was beautiful walking and often running through the woods in the darkness, and listening to the dogs as they got on the trail of a racoon and then know that certain baying sound when they had one up a tree. That was several years ago; probably 44 to 47 years ago.
When those coons were up a tree they were not always caught or killed. Sometimes they got away.
Zacchaeus found himself up a tree. Of course, it was not for the same reason of those coons; or was it? He was wanting to see Jesus. We are not told that he was seeking Jesus, but that, “He sought to see Jesus who He was.” We are told that Jesus was seeking Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus found himself up a tree because he was not a very tall man.
Jesus does not seek one because of one’s stature, their beauty or lack thereof. He seeks those who are lost. He seeks those who are lost in the depths and darkness of sin. Do you find yourself up a tree today looking, wondering who Jesus is?
Jesus is the Son of God, the Son of Man, and He has come and died for our sins, was buried and He rose again. Just like Zacchaeus, when Jesus comes into your house He will make a change in your heart, mind and life. Believe Him.
When Will Jesus Come Again?
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:25-28
The prophets and the Psalms foretold the first coming of Jesus, Immanuel, and He came. His purpose and mission in coming the first time was to redeem unto Himself a people who were in need of redemption, a people He loves, despite the evil of their hearts, and hatred for Him. His mission was to go to Jerusalem and die on a cross.
That mission was a complete success. He died on the cross taking all the sins of the world; because He loves the world; and He became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), and took the wrath of God for our sins (Isaiah 53:4-6), He died and was buried, then He arose and came out of the grave; and when we call on His name, turning from sin, we receive His Righteousness.
Since those Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled to the letter we can rest assured that the Old Testament prophecies concerning His second coming will be fulfilled as well. Since Jesus spoke the words above, and He is the Truth, the Way and the Life it should be doubly sure that He is coming again. But when?
We cannot know the day or the hour; but we can see from the word of Jesus that it will be during the ending of the worst times the earth has or ever will see.
The time Jesus speaks of is following a time of great tribulation on earth, that Jeremiah the prophet calls, “The time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7), and the whole world turns against Israel, and tries to destroy them, and many people all around the world will be killed by plagues, fear, and earthquakes, violent storms and so much more.
My point today is, Jesus is coming again. He is coming again in power and great glory. You may not believe it, but do not be in doubt but believing that every word God has spoken in His word will come to pass just as He has said. Believe Him, so it will not be too late.
The Blessed For the Sake of the Son of Man
And He lifted up His eyes on His disciples, and said,
“Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” Luke 6:20-23
The poor of whom Jesus is speaking are those who are poor in their view of themselves and their spiritual state, a broken and contrite heart is what God desires, and those are blessed.
It is also true of those who hunger for righteousness, those who weep because they see much wrong doing against what is holy, righteous and good, according to the Biblical definition; not the cultural or societal definition.
The world we live in, today’s culture and society hate holiness, righteousness, and the good defined by the word of God. They also hate all who stand on a Biblical world view. We can see many working against all that is godly.
What we are to do as the followers of Jesus Christ is to grow in our faith of Him, not follow the world’s way. Be faithful in teaching the word of God, be faithful in living the teachings of the word of God, and grow in our love for Him, also growing in our continued faith of His love, grace, mercy, holiness, righteousness and justness.
If you have slid backwards away from Him, now is the time to fall on your knees in repentance, and come back to faithful obedience and love for Him.
If you have never called out to Jesus Christ, He is the One who died for your sins on the cross, taking the place we all deserved, He died, was buried, and He rose again. Believe Him and receive forgiveness, and eternal life with Him.
The Ninety Nine and the One
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven. For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost.
How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:10-14
I am grateful that I was that one. He came seeking me and found me, and put me on His shoulder and carried me back to the fold.
You may be that one He has come seeking. Believe Him, and He will deliver you.
Jesus and His Father
Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
But Jesus answered them,
“My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. John 5:17-18
One of the beliefs of the true Christian faith is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Son of Man; the God-Man. He is fully God and fully Man. Any departure from this is not Christian belief.
Even the Jews in verse 18 above knew what Jesus was saying, and they did not misinterpret His words, but were correct in what they said. Yet, they did not receive the message of Him or His word.
When we come to the realization of who Jesus genuinely and truly is, then we will either reject Him flat out, or we will trust Him completely.
I have received Him for who He really is; and He is calling You to Himself to receive cleansing and forgiveness of sin, and when You see Him for who He is He will save You and give You eternal life.
They Were Told, and Told Again
And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And He took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto Him, saying,
“Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles: and they shall mock Him, and shall scourge Him, and shall spit upon Him, and shall kill Him: and the third day He shall rise again.” Mark 10:32-34And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of His doing.
The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. Psalm 64:9-10
We can, as Christians, learn a lot from the teachings of Jesus, and from the way the disciples listened to Jesus. Several times as we read just one of the gospel accounts Jesus told them that He was going to die, and rise again.
They had other ideas. Do we hear Him today? Do we have our own ideas and plans in the way we want to follow Him? It would do all of us who are the redeemed of the Lord to hear Him, then we will not be surprised at His word being fulfilled.
The Son of Man Glorified
Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said,
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God be glorified in Him, God shall also glorify Him in Himself, and shall straightway glorify Him.
Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek Me: and as I said unto the Jews, ‘Whither I go, ye cannot come;’ so now I say to you.
A new commandment I give unto you, ‘That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.’ By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:31-35
Persistent Asking
And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying,
“There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, ‘Avenge me of mine adversary.’ And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ “
And the Lord said,
“Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8
Unknown Day and Hour
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, “Watch.” Mark 13:32-37
Who Is A Faithful and Wise Servant?
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. Matthew 24:42-47
“For this cause I came”
And Jesus answered them, saying,
“The hour is come, that the Son of Man should be glorified.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour.
Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name.”
Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” John 12:23-28
Authority to Execute Judgment
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me.” John 5:25-30
The Fire and Hammer 