Living for Christ not the Antichrist

“The dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” [1]

The dragon is the Devil. The woman is Messianic Israel which includes Gentile Christians whom the Heavenly Father grafted into His family. They are known by their love for God, love for His Word and love for His Son Jesus who is the Messiah and Savior of the world. [2]

How does the dragon wage war on those who keep God’s Word and have the testimony of Jesus? He raises up a beast, an antichrist, who blasphemes God. This beast makes war on the saints (God’s holy people on the earth – the remnant). All the world will marvel at him and follow him except for those whose names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Everyone else will worship him. They will remark, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” [3]

The antichrist causes people to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads so that no one may buy or sell except he that has the mark of his name. The number of his name is 666. [4]

The mark on the forehead and on the hand of people is a violation of God’s Law which says, “You shall lay up these Words of Mine [God’s] in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.” [5] Not that we should literally tattoo Bible verses on our skin, but that our thoughts and actions should line up with God’s Word, not line up with the thoughts and actions of the antichrist.

We are to, “Love the Lord our God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always.” [6]

We are to, “Keep every commandment that we may be strong, and go in and possess the land.” “A land that drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.” “That your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth.” [7]

The land that the Lord Jesus is leading us into is paradise. God is there caring for it. We will live eternally in that land. It is worth everything we have to get there. As Paul said, “This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” [8]

Therefore, we should, “Love God, walk in all His ways, and hold fast to Him.” [9]

We must beware of letting paganistic practices into our worship services. The Lord says, “You shall not worship the Lord your God with such things.” [10]

The Lord encourages us to “Rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you, and your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you.” [11] In other words, keep focused on our blessings and on the good things God has placed us here to do.

The Lord warned us way back in the days of Moses against accepting a cultural mindset of anything goes. A “let’s blur all the lines” kind of attitude. “You shall not at all do as we are doing here today—every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes.” [12]

“You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way [the pagan way]; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.” [13]

No matter what powerful people, or a majority of people are saying or doing in opposition to Jesus Christ and His Word, we must remain resolute that Jesus Christ is the Lord.

The Lord says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” [14]

“The Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. He will subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.” [15]

“Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. …He is greatly exalted.” [16]

[1] Revelation 12:17
[2] Revelation 12:1-17; Romans 11:17-24
[3] Revelation 13:1, 4-8
[4] Revelation 13:16-18
[5] Deuteronomy 11:18
[6] Deuteronomy 11:1

[7] Deuteronomy11:8, 11-12, 21
[8] 2 Corinthians 4:17
[9] Deuteronomy 11:22
[10] Deuteronomy 12:4
[11] Deuteronomy 12:7
[12] Deuteronomy 12:8
[13] Deuteronomy 12:31-32
[14] Psalm 46:10
[15] Psalm 47:3-4
[16] Psalm 47:6-9

My Kingdom is Not of this World

Jerusalem’s religious authorities accused Jesus of being an evildoer. They wanted to execute Jesus but did not have legal authority to do so. So, they brought Jesus to Governor Pilate. He asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

Jesus declared, “My kingdom is not of this world.” [1]

Previously, some had pointed out to Jesus how the temple in Jerusalem was adorned with beautiful stones and donations. He responded, “The days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” [2]

No wonder some people said of Jesus, “He is Jeremiah.” Jesus prophesied of the destruction of the second temple. Jeremiah prophesied of the destruction of the first temple. The Babylonians “burned down the [first] temple, the palace, and the houses of all the important people in Jerusalem” in 587 BC. The Romans burned down the second temple in 70 AD. [3]

The temple in Jerusalem was a symbol of organized and popularly accepted religion in the days of Jeremiah and Jesus, but in both eras, the people in-charge had turned it into a den of thieves. [4]

When does it become necessary for God to correct an organized religion? Obviously, when fleecing the flock becomes more of the reason for operations than feeding them, than pointing them to Jesus for salvation.

Jesus told one of Jerusalem religious leaders, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The man was steep in Scripture knowledge, but unless he received the kingdom of God like a little child, he would never enter it. “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” [5]

Conversion is a heavenly naturalization process in which God brings me to a place of humility and KNOWING of my need of Jesus Christ to be saved. I need Jesus Christ. He in me. I in Him. Repenting of my sin and asking Him to save me, He gives me His Spirit. His Spirit births me into God’s family. Converting me to God! I am a new creation. I have become a citizen of God’s kingdom. [6]

What Moses said of the people of God in his day is still true of us today. Moses told people, “Be stiff-necked no longer.” [7] Our tendency is to resist change unless a very strong incentive to change is presented to us, otherwise known as the fear of God. Kind of like driving over the speed limit until a police car comes into view. Preachers in the Bible urged their listeners to fear God, turn from sin and turn to God. God is watching! He promises to judge transgression. He gives grace, love, mercy and joy to those who turn to Him.

Jesus warned, “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.” “These are the days of vengeance.” “The Gentiles will trample Jerusalem until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” [8] The clouds of war are all about Jerusalem today.

What does Jesus say? “Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” [9]

Snares spring on unsuspecting animals. Animals are most vulnerable when they assume that there is no trap. Jesus told us to pray that we will escape traps and stand before Him.

Note: Proverbs 7 warns us to beware of being seduced by a wayward person. Proverbs 8 urges us to follow the voice of wisdom. Revelation 18 speaks of the destruction of an evil seductive empire. Revelation 19:9 speaks of an invitation to the wedding feast of the Lamb which symbolizes the union of Christ with His followers for all eternity. There are two kingdoms. The kingdom of unregenerate mankind, and the kingdom of Christ and His redeemed followers.

The Kingdom of Christ is not of this world. His kingdom is greater than the kingdoms of this world. Eventually, the world’s kingdom will be no more, but the kingdom of Christ is forever.

When I look at myself, I know I don’t deserve to be with God, but when I consider what Christ did for me on the cross and in His resurrection, I have hope. Because He lives, I too shall live. Jesus said, “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” Praise the Lord! [10]

[1] John 18:28-40 (the whole account)
[2] Luke 21:5-6
[3] Matthew 16:14; Jeremiah 7:12-14; 52:13
[4] Jeremiah 7:9-11; Mark 11:17
[5] John 3:3; Luke 18:17
[6] Luke 18:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21
[7] Deuteronomy 10:16
[8] Luke 21:20, 22, 24
[9] Luke 21:34-36
[10] John 14:19; John 10:9

The Wonderful Kingdom of Jesus Christ

“I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the Word of the Lord; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain.” [1]

How many of us want someone else to be the go-between us and God’s Word? Let him or her hear God’s voice? Let him or her receive God’s fire? Many are afraid of God. Not Moses. He was the Lord’s disciple. He was with God. He proclaimed the Lord’s Name and stood for Him. Thus, he got the fire.

The Lord said, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” “For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.” “I show mercy thousands to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” [2] I am glad that the Lord is jealous for me and for you. He loves us. In His Word, He reveals to us His great mercy.

“You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain.” [3] When someone loves another, the name of that person is highly treasured. We should love the Lord like that.

We should not support shows or movies that blaspheme God’s Name.

It is disturbing to me that most of the Hollywood’s famous studios were pioneered by people of Jewish descent, but they used these platforms to defile nations rather than call them into a relationship of reverent respect for the God of the Bible. Or the band KISS led by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of Jewish descent not influencing people to believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but instead trying to upstage God with their ungodly behavior. The devil must love to see descendants of Abraham behaving in such ways and influencing others to do the same. I must confess that I was one of their disciples until Jesus came into my life and delivered me from them. Glory to God!

“Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore, the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” [4]

The Sabbath is time set aside to remember! Remember what? Remember God your Savior! Give Him glory! Remember what He said!

Walking through this world is like walking through a coal mine in white clothes. It is difficult not to be impacted by our surroundings. So, it is good to come before the Lord each week with others who love and follow Him, to worship Him, to meditate on His Word and to pray.

“These Words the Lord spoke to all your assembly, in the mountain from the midst of the fire… and He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.” [5] Here we have the recipe for life, namely, fire from God (His Spirit) and the written Word of God.

The Lord prays for us, “O, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever! [6]

The Lord is saying the same thing through Moses that He said through Jesus, namely, be My disciples. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” “These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” [7] Let My Word be everywhere, but especially in your heart, and in the heart of your children.

The Lord gives us a vision of what He will do for us if we listen and obey Him, “I will give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant.” But He also warns us, “Beware, lest you forget the Lord...” [8]

“You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” [9]

How do we tempt God? We tempt Him by following some other god’s leading, namely ourselves, or the world’s. This kind of betrayal tempts God to break covenant with us since we have broken covenant with Him.

Bob Dylan wrote a song, saying, “You got serve somebody. It might be the devil or it might be the Lord, but you got to serve somebody.” This is true.

The Lord says to us, “You are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers…” [10]

When God calls us to Himself, it is a very special blessing. It is a marriage! We should be devoted to Him as He is devoted to us.

The Lord urges us not to fear those around us who do not believe in Him. “If you should say in your heart, these nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them? You shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt… So shall the Lord your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.” “The Lord your God, the great and awesome God, is among you. The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.” “No one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them.” [11]

The Lord warns us not to take spoils that will defile us. “ You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.” [12]

How did the Lord prepare their hearts for all these blessings? He took them through a season of humility much like Jesus did with His disciples. “He [the Lord] humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man, lives by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these 40 years. You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you.” [13]

The Lord Jesus leads His disciples through humble seasons, but we do not lack anything because His Word and His presence is so wonderful. It is great to walk with Jesus.

Since the first and great commandment of God is not to have any gods before Him, I have asked the Lord to expose idols to me that I might be aware of them and shun them.

I read in Psalm 41:9, “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” Jesus quoted this verse in John 13:18 in reference to Judas Iscariot.

Judas Iscariot was a type of Lucifer. Lucifer was with God in the beginning according to verses of Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28, and Revelation 12, but then, betrayed God and led others to do the same. The greatest hurt Lucifer likes to do to God is to get people to betray God.

He tempted Jesus to worship him in Matthew 4. Jesus rebuked him.

The Old Testament prophets and Jesus suffered much from imposters who posed as religious leaders but were servants of Satan. We must be so careful and prayerful about these matters. One thing for sure. Pride comes before destruction.

Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Both Jesus and His apostles warned us against the deceitfulness of riches. [14]

We need to beware of religious leaders today who are not preaching the Gospel and not making disciples of Jesus. When Jesus was in the temple, “He taught the people” and “preached the Gospel.” “The chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him.” [15]

Jesus was like the prophets of old. He told the people the truth about God. Those who did not know God but were imposters opposed Him. Luke tells us that “They watched Him.” “Sent spies who pretended to be righteous that they might seize on His words in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.” “They could not catch Him in His Words in the presence of the people.” [16] Dirty politics is nothing new to our generation!

Despite their spite, Jesus offered to the enemies of the Gospel the Gospel. He asked them, “How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David? Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool. Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord;’ how is He then his Son?”[17] Jesus was in effect saying, “I am the Christ, the Son of David. I am the Lord.” He told them clearly that He was the Messiah.

Jesus Messiah leads His followers into an eternal kingdom which flows with better substances than milk and honey. It is loaded with better minerals than silver and gold. It is a kingdom without upheavals and political wrangling. It is the Kingdom of God. How blessed we are to know Jesus! I wish everyone knew Jesus!

[1] Deuteronomy 5:5
[2] Deuteronomy 5:7, 9-10
[3] Deuteronomy 5:11
[4] Deuteronomy 5:12, 15
[5] Deuteronomy 5:22
[6] Deuteronomy 5:29
[7] Deuteronomy 6:5-9
[8] Deuteronomy 6:10-12
[9] Deuteronomy 6:16
[10] Deuteronomy 7:6-8
[11] Deuteronomy 7:17-24
[12] Deuteronomy 7:25-26
[13] Deuteronomy 8:2-5
[14] Matthew 26:15; Mark 4:19; 1 Timothy 6:17-19
[15] Luke 20:1
[16] Luke 20:20, 26
[17] Luke 20:41-44

A Spiritual Relationship with the Lord

“Do not trust in these lying words, saying, ‘The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are these.’” [1]

The people in Jeremiah’s day lacked a spiritual relationship with the Lord. They had God’s temple… as though a building dedicated to God was enough to please Him. When the Lord urged them to amend their ways by caring for needy people, they did not listen to Him.

“For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt, then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever.” [2]

The Apostle James wrote, “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” [3]

Jeremiah asked the people of his day, “Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered to do all these abominations?’”[4]

The people’s self-perception was, “We go to temple. We are good.” God’s reality check for them was, “You are law breakers who need to repent.”

The Lord Jesus revealed this same truth to us in the Book of Revelation when He said of New Jerusalem, “Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.” [5]

Bondages to sin in one’s life is a sign that something’s not right. Suppressing truth is an unrighteous act. Not honoring God or giving Him thanks leads to futile speculations and a darkened heart. Not acknowledging God yields a debased mind. God, in His goodness, forbearance and longsuffering, is willing and able to help us repent of these sins. [6]

Jeremiah’s message was that the temple and the city in which his people trusted would be destroyed. Jesus gave a similar message about the temple when He walked the earth. Jeremiah’s prophecy was fulfilled and so was the prophecy of Jesus. In the Book of Revelation, the Lord Jesus reveals to us that this current world and its great empires will be destroyed because He is creating a new heaven and earth wherein righteousness dwells. [7]

The people of Jeremiah’s day doubted his message. He reminded them that in a similar way their forefathers had doubted God.

“Go now to My place which was in Shiloh, where I set My Name at the first, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel.” [8]

In Shiloh, God’s people had the Ark of the Covenant. They took it with them into battle against the Philistines but lost the battle. They had a form of religion but lacked a spiritual relationship with the Lord. [9]

High Priest Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phineas, were vile in God’s sight but Eli did not restrain them. God said that there was no atonement for their sins. “The sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord.” They took the meat offerings before the fat which was to be burned to the Lord was offered. When those under their father’s authority tried to stop them, they took the meat by force. They also laid with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle. [10]

Trust in the Ark of the Covenant was insufficient. Trust in the temple was insufficient. A spiritual relationship with the Lord is absolutely necessary to please Him. The Lord wants us to walk with Him in accordance with His Word.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat. For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’” [11]

“To love Him [God] with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.” [12]

This something I pray about for me, my loved ones, and for you my friends. “Heavenly Father, please help me and people everywhere to walk in Your ways. To love as You love! To be the good Samaritans to our neighbors as You were when You walked the earth. This I pray in the Name of Jesus Your Son. Amen.”

The Lord says, “O, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” [13]

[1] Jeremiah 7:4
[2] Jeremiah 7:5-7
[3] James 1:27
[4] Jeremiah 7:9
[5] Revelation 22:15
[6] Romans 1:18, 21, 28; 2:4
[7] Revelation 21:1-3; 2 Peter 3:13
[8] Jeremiah 7:13
[9] 1 Samuel 4:1-22
[10] 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22
[11] Jeremiah 7:21-23
[12] Mark 12:33
[13] Deuteronomy 5:29

 

Out of Heaven He Let You Hear His Voice

Wisdom and understanding in the sight of people is God’s statutes and judgments.

Listen to what God has to say… “Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for THIS IS YOUR WISDOM AND YOUR UNDERSTANDING IN THE SIGHT OF THE PEOPLES WHO WILL HEAR ALL THESE STATUTES, and say, ‘SURELY THIS GREAT NATION IS A WISE AND UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE.’” [1]

God’s Word came to us from heaven… from our Creator. It is wisdom and understanding from God Himself. Those who live by it, are living by God’s standard.

“What great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? What great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? …Teach them to your children and your grandchildren… that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.” [2]

The Lord God does things with people that no one else can do.

“…Since the day that God created man on the earth. Ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether any great thing like this has happened, or anything like it has been heard. DID ANY PEOPLE EVER HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD SPEAKING OUT OF THE MIDST OF THE FIRE, as you have heard, and live? Or did God ever try to go and take for Himself a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown that you might know that the Lord Himself is God; there is none other besides Him. OUT OF HEAVEN HE LET YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, THAT HE MIGHT INSTRUCT YOU…” [3]

God spoke His Word to Israel out of fire. He spoke to them from heaven.

God speaks His Word to His Church out of the fire of the Holy Spirit today. Currently, God is calling people out of every nation, tribe and tongue to be His special people via His Word the Bible and the Holy Spirit.

Faith in Christ opens God’s Kingdom to us.

The Lord said to Moses in regards to entering the Promised Land, “Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.” [4]

Joshua led Israel to inherit the earthly Promised Land. Jesus is leading us His followers into the heavenly Promised Land.

We have a better inheritance in Jesus Christ than Israel had with Joshua. We have a better inheritance than those outside the faith. The following Bible passages speak about inheriting the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” [5]

Normally, a child has 100% confidence in its parent to provide for it. This is the kind of faith we have in Christ.

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. And those who heard it said, ‘Who then can be saved?’ But He said, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.’” [6]

The main point is that with God all things are possible. We look to God to get us in. Its our personal relationship with God that seals the deal.

[The Holy Spirit] “is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” [7]

The Holy Spirit’s presence in us is God’s down payment on our lives. The Spirit leads us to believe and profess Christ. He helps us to enjoy God’s Word. He helps us to pray.

“Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” [8]

What a wonder! “Out of Heaven we hear His voice.”

One day, we shall see His face: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” [9]

[1] Deuteronomy 4:5-6
[2] Deuteronomy 4:7-10
[3] Deuteronomy 4:32-36
[4] Deuteronomy 1:38 (See also Deuteronomy 3:28)
[5] Luke 18:16-17
[6] Luke 18:25-27
[7] Ephesians 1:14
[8] Colossians 3:24
[9] Job 19:25-27

In That Night

Do you think about that night?

That night refers to a particular night when one person is taken and another is left behind. To be taken by the Lord is to be exempted from experiencing His wrath on sin. It is to be raptured to be with Christ before He returns to righteously judge the world’s sin. [1]

The worst sin is not to believe in the Messiah-Savior whom God sent to die on the cross as a sacrifice to atone for our sin. Jesus said, “Unless you believe I am He, you will die in your sins.” [2]

Some who believe in God have experienced terrible abuses. Some can relate well with the laments of David…

You have known my soul in adversities
My eye wastes away with grief, yes, my soul and my body
For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing
I am a reproach among all my enemies
Especially among my neighbors
Repulsive to my acquaintances
Those who see me outside flee from me
I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind
I am like a broken vessel
I hear the slander of many
Fear is on every side
They take counsel together against me
They scheme to take away my life [3]

Except for the grace of God, they would not have prevailed over the war waged against them, but the Lord did come through for them.

“As for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. Make Your face shine upon Your servant; save me for Your mercies’ sake.” [4]

“O, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the Lord, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!” [5]

Jesus foretold, “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”

“Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” [6]

It’s not that eating, drinking, getting married, buying and selling, planting and building are bad. It was what they refused to do that was bad. The people around Noah and Lot refused to give God glory. As a result, they were doing other things that Jesus doesn’t mention here but are mentioned in Noah’s and Lot’s stories. The people in Noah’s day were violent. The people in Lot’s city were exceedingly immoral. Finally, their day of judgment came.

“’Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.’ And they answered and said to Him, ‘Where, Lord?’ So, He said to them, ‘Wherever the body is, there the vultures will be gathered together.’” [7]

So, the Lord plans to rescue from divine judgment those who are in a relationship with Him. The irony is that these godly people will be living among and most likely witnessing to the ungodly when they are taken to be with the Lord.

Where will it happen? Wherever birds of prey are gathered. Jesus speaks of these birds in Revelation 19:17-18, “Eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders.” Those who have bullied and persecuted God’s people are no match for Him in that night.

Do you think about that night? 31 years ago, in 1994, the first Left Behind docu-drama was produced to alert people to Biblical prophecies about the end-times. Servants of God’s Word have been talking about the Bible’s prophecies for years. It is stunning to see how far world empires have come in being able to force false beliefs on people via fear, propaganda, and peer pressure tactics.

I pray that we will all be ready to meet the Lord.

[1] 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; Acts 17:31
[2] John 8:24
[3] Psalm 31:7-13
[4 Psalm 31:14-16
[5] Psalm 31:19-21
[6] Luke 17:26-30
[7] Luke 17:32-37

Give to the Lord Glory and Strength

There are good reasons to give to the Lord our glory and strength.

A mighty king once urged his readers, “Give to the Lord, O you mighty ones, give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due to His Name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” [1]

One reason to give the Lord glory and strength is that from the Lord flows healing. “O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.” [2]

Another reason is the Lord turns sadness into gladness. “…His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” [3]

Cry out
Lift up
Seek as for silver
Seek as for hidden treasures

The above are action verbs and phrases from the Lord in regards to looking to Him for discernment, understanding, knowledge and wisdom. [4]

The Lord tells us where to get the best coaching available, namely in Him and in His Word.

He also tells us what He does for whoever receives and implements His guidance:

A Shield
A Guard
A Preserver
A Deliverer from evil, perversity, darkness, seduction, death
A Deliverer to good ways, right paths, good land [5]

Caleb and Joshua were the ones of their generation to enter the Promised Land. The Lord said of them, “they have wholly followed the Lord.” [6] Those who disregarded and disobeyed the Lord missed out.

Among the younger generation of Israel, there were those who said, “As the Lord has said to your servants, so we will do.” [7] The Lord led them victoriously into the Promised Land.

The captors of Israel’s people, the Egyptians, had been idolators. Idolatry is evil in God’s sight because it, 1) denies God His rightful place as Creator, Sustainer and Savior of humankind, and 2) because idolatry leads to destruction.

God executed judgment on the gods of Egypt by killing their firstborn sons. The Egyptians buried their firstborn sons on the day after the Passover. [8] But ironically, God buried His firstborn Son on the day after the Passover as well. Whatever woe people have experienced as a result of sin, God experienced as well in His Son Jesus on the cross. Jesus Messiah atoned for the sins of the world on the cross and was buried on the day after the Passover. The good news is that He resurrected on the third day and gives eternal life to all who believe in Him!

Before the Israelites executed His judgments on Canaan’s idolators, the Lord said to Israel, “destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places.” He told them, “If you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell. Moreover it shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them.” [9]

Perhaps, the thorn in the Apostle Paul’s side that he asked God to deliver him from was the saboteurs of his efforts to bring people to Christ, namely the idol makers and false teachers. [10] They would have killed him if the Lord had not graciously intervened to rescue him.

The good news for Paul is that he is now in the eternal Promised Land with Christ our Savior. He wholly followed the Lord, and the Good Shepherd helped him to overcome every stormy sea and to enter the peaceful and glorious harbor of heaven. This is my prayer for you and for all who read this message.

[1] Psalm 29:1-2
[2] Psalm 30:2
[3] Psalm 30:5
[4] Proverbs 2:3-6
[5] Proverbs 2:7-22
[6] Numbers 32:11-12
[7] Numbers 32:31
[8] Numbers 33:1-4
[9] Numbers 33:52, 55-56
[10] Acts 19:26; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

One Thing I Desrie

“One thing I have desired of the Lord that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.” [1]

What a beautiful thought! To be with the Lord, near to Him, all the days of one’s life! To behold His beauty, and to speak with Him! Thoughts of seeing the Lord often come to me. Will it be today? Will it be tomorrow? How long before I am with Him where He dwells?

Then, I come down from these thoughts and back into this world that is filled with corruption.

What does God’s Word have to say about corruption? He urges us to avoid it.

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, ‘Come with us, let us lie in wait to shed blood; let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down to the Pit; we shall find all kinds of precious possessions, we shall fill our houses with spoil; cast in your lot among us, let us all have one purse’—my son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path; for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. Surely, in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird, but they lie in wait for their own blood, they lurk secretly for their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its owners.” [2]

Thieving and hurting others does not end well. God says that the perpetrator of such activities is destroying himself, not getting ahead.

The Lord in His mercy offers to each of us an off ramp. He says, “Turn at My rebuke; surely I will pour out My Spirit on you; I will make My Words known to you.” [3]

I know that this is true because I experience it. When I ask God to forgive me, He does. His Holy Spirit helps me to bear good fruit for God, for others and for myself.

The Lord does not punish us when we confess our sins to Him, He rejoices over us. Jesus said, “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” [4]

Praise the Lord! The Creator of creation loves us. He is for us! He wants us to be with Him. He doesn’t want us to end up in the pit of Sheol. God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” To be able say with Job, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” [5]

[1] Psalm 27:4
[2] Proverbs 1:10-19
[3] Proverbs 1:23
[4] Luke 15:7, 10
[5] 1 Timothy 2:4; Job 19:25-27

The Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus

“Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.” [1] What? The Jewish leaders had previously incited people to crucify Messiah. Now they are concerned about breaking the Sabbath? [2] Their theology was insane.

Psalm 22 was likely written by King David around 1044 BC. The Psalm is a Messianic prophesy. In Psalm 22 the Lord describes what He was going through on that crucifixion day.

“Be not far from Me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have surrounded Me; strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me. They gape at Me with their mouths, like a raging and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me; O, My Strength, hasten to help Me! Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. Save Me from the lion’s mouth and from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me. I will declare Your Name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly, I will praise You.” [3]

Bulls stab their prey with horns. Lions shred their prey with teeth. Dogs consume what bulls and lions leave behind. Jesus describes the pain in His joints. He is weak. He has been poured out like water, namely His blood is everywhere. His hands and feet are pierced. His heart is melted. During His hour of death, people are mocking Him. His torturers are playing a game with His clothes. Yet, He ends His prayers on a high note. “I will declare Your Name to My brothers; in the midst of the assembly, I will praise You.” The third day is coming! He knows He will resurrect from the dead.

“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord. All the families of the nations shall worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations.” “Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah” [4]

Now, people from every nation have turned to Him. And the day is fast approaching when Jesus will return. All who have loved His appearing will rejoice with exceedingly great joy!

However, until Jesus returns, we have governments run by lions and bears. “Like a roaring lion and a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.” [5]

Until Jesus returns, the war between human-pride and trust-in-the-Lord continues. “He, who is of a proud heart, stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.” [6]



Until Jesus returns, we need to remain humble. Admitting that we are sinners in need of the grace of God! “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” [7]

Until Jesus returns, we need to beware of making excuses. “They all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’” [8]

Jesus paid a great price to redeem us from sin. He does expect us to live circumspectly of it.

Jesus said, “Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish?’ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with 10,000 to meet him who comes against him with 20,000? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” [9]

The Lord is concerned about mindsets on miniscule matters that really don’t matter. Diligent to keep the Sabbath but discarding God’s Messiah. Is Jesus Messiah the focus of the worship service that you attend? His atoning sacrifice for our sins the main point? I pray so.

I am working on a project to illustrate with pictures and words the ministry of Jeremiah the prophet as an example for us who speak for God today. Jeremiah’s Jerusalem was coming to an end. There was going to be a time of great tribulation, but afterwards a season of victory and restoration. For listeners today, there is coming a time of great tribulation, but afterwards, the Lord Jesus will return and bring all who follow Him into the New Jerusalem. May God our Father help us all to bear witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus. [10]

[1] John 19:31
[2] Luke 23:2, 5, 10, 18, 21, 23-25
[3] Psalm 22:11-22
[4] Psalm 22:27-28; Psalm 24:10
[5] Proverbs 28:15
[6] Proverbs 28:25
[7] Romans 3:22-23; Proverbs 28:13
[8] Luke 14:18-21
[9] Luke 14:27-33
[10] Revelation 1:2; 12:17; 14:12

Blessed is He who Comes in the Name of the Lord

Pontius Pilate executed Galileans and mixed their blood into sacrifices. Jesus had done much of His ministry in Galilee. The people of Jerusalem told Him about it. Jesus responded, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” [1]

Sin is sin. The Bible says, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” Moses was diligent to do as the Lord commanded him but failed at one point. He struck a rock in anger from which water sprang forth and instead of speaking to it as the Lord told him to do. The Lord cited this infraction as the reason for not allowing him to take the Israelites into the Promised Land. This event illustrates the point “that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” [2] Even Moses needed God’s grace.

As to the Galileans whose blood Pilate desecrated, every sinner could rightfully experience a cruel form of execution, but God graciously sees to it that many die in peace. However, no matter what form of death we experience, Jesus Christ gives eternal life to every sinner who believe in Him.

When Jesus spoke of repentance, He spoke of a turn from sin to Him. He, not we, is the Savior. Jesus said, “Unless you believe I am He [the Messiah], you will die in your sins.” [3]

On the Sabbath day healed a woman who had been crippled for 18 years. The ruler of synagogue angrily complained that Jesus should not have done this “work” on the Sabbath Day. Jesus knew the man’s hypocrisy. He knew that the man had loosed his ox and donkey from their stalls on the Sabbath to let them drink. He told him, “So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for 18 years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” “When He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.” [4]

Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed and to leaven. Mustard seeds and yeast particles are small, but they produce abundant results. Jesus comes to us in a humble form, but He created all things, and by Him all things consist. He produces abundant results in us embrace Him. [5]

Then, a man asked Jesus, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” [6]

Jesus is the gate to the sheepfold of God. He is the Good Shepherd. We must believe in Him to be saved.

Jesus spoke of people who are shut out from the kingdom. They plead with Him to open to the door to them, saying, “We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.” But He replies, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.” They had the Lord among them, but the Lord did not have them. Their works were evidence that they did not believe in Him or love Him. [7]

Jesus lamented for them, saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!’” [8]

This is a good word for us today. Do not follow Jerusalem’s negative example of silencing Jesus. Hear Him! Follow Him! Be glad when Jesus speaks to you whether it is via a preacher, a radio station, the internet, printed material, the Bible or through someone He has placed in your life.

“Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!”

[1] Luke 13:1-3
[2] James 2:10; Numbers 20:6-13; Galatians 2:16
[3] John 8:24
[4] Luke 13:10-17
[5] Luke 13:18-21; Colossians 1:16-19
[6] Luke 13:23-24
[7] Luke 13:25-27; James 2:16
[8] Luke 13:34-35

Glory, Honor and Blessing unto God

“I praise You O Lord! Your saints are my delight.”

“The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance.”

“The Lord always before me.” “My heart is glad!” “My flesh rests in hope.” “Your Holy One (Jesus Christ) did not see corruption.” “You will show me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy. At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

“You keep me as the apple of Your eye. You hide me under the shadow of Your wings.”

You keep me “from men of the world who have their portion in this life.”

“I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.”

“I will love You, O Lord, my strength.”

“Lord, you are my support. You brought me into a broad place. You delivered me because You delighted in me.”

“Lord, You save the humble people but bring down haughty looks. You light my lamp. You enlighten my darkness. By You I run against a troop and leap over a wall.”

“Lord, Your way is perfect. Your Word is proven. You are a shield to all who trust in You.”

“God, You arm me with strength. You perfect my way. You make my feet like the feet of deer. You establish me on my high places.”

“Your right hand has held me up. Your gentleness has made me great.”

“You delivered me from the strivings of the people. You made me the head of the nations. A people I have not known serves me.”

“I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the nations. I sing praises to Your Name.” [1]

It is good to praise our Creator and Redeemer, but not so good to honor a fool.

“As snow in summer and rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.” [2]

Snow in the summer and rain in the harvest time are out of sync with the natural cycle of seasons. Rain is needed in the spring and summer to make the crops grow. Snow would kill plants during the growing months. So, giving honor to fools is a harmful use of honor.

Who is a fool according to the Bible? “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.” [3] A fool is someone who denies God and corrupts others because he or she is corrupt.

God helps me to see and meet the needs of my eternal soul. His goal is to save me. He wants me to be where He is. I am so glad that He exposes foolishness and reveals wisdom. I think of the times, especially as a child, that I watched shows with people acting like fools.

Jesus said, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness…” [4] In other words, you either fill-up on light or darkness depending on what you let enter your eyes.

Acknowledging our sinful and foolish ways and asking the Lord to forgive us and change us is wise. To do otherwise is not wise. “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” [5]

When Jesus urged His followers, “Seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you,” [6] He was saying to put God and God’s priorities first, and God will meet your needs.

Jesus said, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” [7]

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” [8]

Praise, honor, glory and blessing and be unto God!

[1] Praises personalized from Psalms 16:3, 6, 8-11; 17:8, 14-15, 18:1, 18-19, 27-30, 32-33, 35, 43, 49
[2] Proverbs 26:1
[3] Psalm 14:1
[4] Matthew 6:22-23
[5] Proverbs 26:12
[6] Luke 12:31
[7] Luke 12:32
[8] James 1:17

Supplication is Better than Serpents

“…The soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses… So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.” [1]

The Scripture says to praise the Lord, rejoice in Him, and glorify Him. Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say, rejoice.” [2] How often do we fail to act on this excellent guidance?

Rather than being prone to complain against their leaders, the people needed rejoicing in the Lord, praising the Lord, and glorifying the Lord to become their go-to reaction to hardship. Something only the Spirit of God could help them to do!

Nevertheless, the people confessed their sin to Moses, saying, “’We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.’ So, Moses prayed for the people.” [3]

The Lord had a Word and an action for Moses. “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live. So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so, it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.” [4]

Serpents are poisonous and so are sinful desires. Someone once said that pride is the mother of all sin. When we exalt ourselves against the Lord, we are following in the steps of Lucifer who wanted to take God’s place in heaven. Therefore, the serpent needed to be hung on a tree. The ego needed to be crucified. The mindset of the people of Satan’s last empire before Jesus returns is one of arrogance. “How much she has glorified herself and lived deliciously… she says in her heart, ‘I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.’” [5]

Thankfully, Jesus took the sins of the world upon Himself on the cross. The devil may have thought he had won his battle against God’s Son, but actually, when Jesus atoned for humanity’s sin, He destroyed the power of sin, death and the devil. The fiery serpent was defeated on that cross by the Son of God. Now, whosoever looks to Jesus Christ, is forgiven all their sins and set free from the devil’s captivity. To no longer keep on helplessly sinning like a puppet on the devil’s strings! [6]

Beyond forgiveness, God gives us who ask Him what is needed to live victorious, namely, the Holy Spirit. “So, I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” [7]

Romans 8:26 says that the Holy Spirit helps us to pray. And to do so with thanksgiving and with peace from God. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” [8]

[1] Numbers 21:4-6
[2] Philippians 4:4
[3] Numbers 21:7
[4] Numbers 21:8-9
[5] Isaiah 14:12-14; Revelation 18:7
[6] Hebrews 2:14; Acts 10:43; 1 John 3:8; John 8:36
[7] Luke 11:9-13
[8] Philippians 4:6-7

Blessed to See and Hear from God

“All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”

“Then, He turned to His disciples and said privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.’” (Luke 10:23-24)

I praise God that the Son Jesus Christ willed to revealed the Heavenly Father to me, and to so many of my friends as well. We are blessed to have seen what we see, and to have heard what we have heard.

“Lord Jesus, Son of God, please continue to reveal Yourself to us, and help us be good revealers of You to others. Amen.”

Jesus Christ is Worthy of Glory, Honor and Blessing!

“A voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!’” [1]

The Heavenly Father affirmed to Peter, James and John that the One they were following was His Son. The name David (דּוֹד) means beloved. Thus, in Hebrew, the Father was saying, “This is My David” as well as the One whom I love. The Lord had told King David that the Messiah would be one of his descendants.

“When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your Offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish His kingdom. He is the One who will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever. I will be His Father, and He will be My Son...” [2]

Thus, as we gather in our places of worship, our goal is to hear from God’s Son Jesus. The Apostle John wrote of Jesus, “No one has ever seen God, but the One and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.” [3]

The Greek word for “made Him known” in the above passage is εξηγησατο from which we get the English word exegete. Exegete is often translated to interpret or explain. Jesus Christ is the One who makes the God of the Scripture sensible and understandable to us. Luke wrote of Jesus, “He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” [4]

So, yes, we listen for the voice of Jesus. We are His sheep. Jesus said that His sheep know His voice. [5] What a privilege that the Son of God, Savior of the world, the Messiah, would speak to us sheep!

May the Heavenly Father graciously grant that each of us will have the mindset of the men who said to the Apostle Philip, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” [6]

May the Heavenly Father graciously grant that each of us will have heart to worship as so many in heaven and on earth do. They sing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength, honor, glory, and blessing! Blessing, honor, glory, and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” [7]

Yes, Jesus Christ is worthy of our worship. Let us give Him glory, honor and blessing! Amen!

[1] Luke 9:35
[2] 2 Samuel 7:12-14
[3] John 1:18
[4] Luke 24:45
[5] John 10:4
[6] John 12:21
[7] Revelation 5:12-13

I have attached a link to one of our favorite worship songs.

https://youtu.be/-c6pl6CaiD0?si=0tzWbbUJnaKMAwfu

The Grape Harvest

Judgment day was at hand for the inhabitants of Canaan. The Lord had said to Abraham, “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them 400 years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward, they shall come out with great possessions.” “In the 4th generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” [1]

The 400 years of bondage in Egypt had come and gone, and now iniquity (the unfairness towards God and people) of the Amorites was complete. The Canaanites had denied their Creator. They sacrificed their children to idols. They had sold their daughters into prostitution.

Moses sent 12 Israelites, one from each of the 12 tribes of Israel into Canaan to observe the fruit of the land and their strongholds. “The time was the season of the first ripe grapes.” [2]

The Lord speaks quite often about grapes in the Bible.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: they shall thoroughly glean as a vine the remnant of Israel; as a grape-gatherer, put your hand back into the branches.” [3] “They” refers to the armies of Babylon that God sent against the remnant of Israel to carry them away into exile. The Babylonians gleaned the city of Jerusalem of its inhabitants. That would be in the future!

Going back in time to the days of Moses and Joshua, the people of God were about to clear the fields of Canaan of evil people. They would conquer 31 kings and their armies. [4]

But wait! There was another pruning that had to happen prior to their entrance into Canaan. The pruning of unbelief. The twelve spies of Moses returned to him with a cluster of grapes so large that it took two men to carry them on a pole between them. But ten of the spies also brought back doubt, saying, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” This unbelief spread like an epidemic and suddenly the people of Israel decided to select a new leader to take them back to Egypt. [5]

“Then the Lord said to Moses: ‘How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them? I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.’” [6]

Moses advocated for the testimony of God, saying, “If You kill these people as one man, then the nations which have heard of Your fame will speak, saying, ‘Because the Lord was not able to bring this people to the land which He swore to give them, therefore He killed them in the wilderness.’” Moses asked the Lord to continue to be longsuffering and abundant in mercy towards Israel and to forgive their sins. [7]

The Lord forgave their unbelief but issued a consequence for not yielding the “grapes” of faith in Him. The consequence was 40 years of wandering in the wilderness for each day that the spies spied out the land of Canaan, and the Lord allowed the ten spies who spread the disease of unbelief to die suddenly. [8]

There are relatable scenes in the Revelation to the one in Numbers.

The Apostle John testifies, “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with Him an 144,000…” “…These are they which follow the Lamb wheresoever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” [9]

Next, John sees, three angels, each with a different message for the people of the earth.

Perhaps, these are the angelic messages that the 144,000 Jewish evangelists preached to the world. The 144,000 Jewish evangelists are from the 12 the tribes of Israel. After they are introduced in Revelation 7:4-8, John sees a multitude of people from all nations praising God and the Lamb in Revelation 7:9-17.

The three messages that are preached before the grape harvest in Revelation 14:14-20 are:

The everlasting Gospel because the hour of His judgment is come.
Babylon’s demise due to the wrath of God on her sin.
Warning of torment to those who receive the mark of the beast. [10]

Next comes two harvests of grapes…

The first harvest by the Son of Man.
The second by an angel. [11]

I believe the first grape harvest is the rapture, and the second grape harvest is the second coming of Christ. The second grape harvest ends with the grapes being cast into the great winepress of God’s wrath, and with blood as deep as the height of a horse’s bridles and for a space of 184 miles.

In light of these Biblical testimonies and truths, the Lord has been leading me to pray for Adam’s race including me, that we would render to the Lord the harvest of grapes that He is due, namely, the fruit of faith in Him.

Remember what He did when He came to Jerusalem and did not find fruit on the fig tree? He cursed it, and it dried up from the roots. Unbelief disappoints the Lord. He cannot bless it. [12]

The Bible says that we all fall short of God’s glory. There is none righteous no not one. We have all failed to trust in the Lord at times. That’s why the atoning sacrifice of Christ is so important. That’s why taking communion on a regular basis is so important. We need to be reminded that only through faith in the shed blood of Jesus for our sins is their remission of our sins! We need to confess our sins of unbelief to the Lord and ask Him to help us trust in Him at all times. [13]

As water is to a plant so is the Word of God to our faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. “Blessed is the man” whose “delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which brings forth its fruit in its season.” [14]

After hearing the Word of God, we need to apply it.

David wrote, “Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” [15]

“Kiss the Son” means to worship Him. Seek Him! He is the Savior. He is Lord! He is our Leader. We follow Him. Jesus Christ is the New Testament’s Joshua who leads us into a better Promised Land than Old Testament Joshua. Both names Joshua and Jesus mean that the Lord saves. Jesus Christ saves those who call upon Him. He leads His followers into the Heavenly Promised Land.

[1] Genesis 15:13-14, 16
[2] Numbers 13:3-20
[3] Jeremiah 6:9
[4] Joshua 24:12
[5] Numbers 13:23, 31; Numbers 14:4
[6] Numbers 14:11-12
[7] Numbers 14:15-19
[8] Numbers 14:20-38
[9] Revelation 14:1, 4-5
[10] Revelation 14:6-11
[11] Revelation 14:14-20
[12] Luke 18:8; Mark 11:12-21
[13] Romans 3:10, 3:23; Matthew 26:28; 1 John 1:8-9; John 3:16
[14] Psalm 1:1-3; Romans 10:17
[15] Psalm 2:11-12

Has the Lord’s Arm been Shortened?

“Now the mixed multitude [or rabble] who were among them yielded to intense craving; so, the children of Israel also wept again and said: ‘Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!’” [1]

A better response to their craving would have been to take it to the Lord in prayer instead of complaining. When a large multitude of people is traveling through a wilderness, the last thing they need is for some people to start complaining.

How many of us have complained about the food provided for us? I know I have. I have asked the Lord to forgive me for those complaints. He has been so good to me.

The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary explains that the mixed multitude or rabble as some translations interpret this Hebrew word אֲסַפְסֻף consisted of Egyptians. Matthew Henry’s Commentary states, “The rabble that came with them out of Egypt, expecting only the land of promise, but not a state of probation in the way to it. They were hangers on, who took hold of the skirts of the Jews, and would go with them only because they knew not how to live at home and were disposed to seek their fortunes (as we say) abroad. Note, A few factious, discontented, ill-natured people, may do a great deal of mischief in the best societies, if great care be not taken to discountenance them.”

God was providing meals miraculously for people in a wilderness. The Psalmist testified, “Man did eat angels’ food.” The manna that God provided for them from heaven “was like coriander seed, white, and it tasted like flat pastry (wafers) made with honey.” [2] Sounds pretty tasty, right? But they [the mixed multitude] had a craving for fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onion and garlic, and so they began to complain.

In response to the rabble’s complaints, Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which You swore to their fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and do not let me see my wretchedness!” [3]

People who are never happy have a negative impact on those who serve them. The Lord says to us, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” [4]

The Lord answered Moses’ request for help by placing His Spirit on 70 elders. They helped him to bear the burden of the people. The provided meat for the people daily for a whole month. [5]

At first, Moses wondered how God would provide meat for 600,000 men for a whole month. Would they have to slaughter all their flocks? Would they have to catch all the fish in the sea. The Lord asked Moses, “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened?” [6]

This is a good word for us who tend to worry about many things. “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened?” He provided meat for 600,000 men, plus their wives and children for a whole month just because they wanted variety. The Lord can certainly provide for you and yours in a land with tens of thousands of grocery stores and restaurants.

Back in 1986, I wrote to prayers supporters of our mission to Hong Kong and China, “This week, 81-year-old Doug Fraser sent us a check for $35. His closing remark was, “Go buy some lunch for your family with this.” His envelope only had a $0.22 stamp on it. This was insufficient postage to send a letter from the US to HK. God answered a prayer that I prayed that He would bring us money on the backs of angels. I was surprised that an elderly man from Chicago was God’s chosen weapon to give us a victory.” Before his check arrived, our food supply was down to a few items and we had no money left. His gift held us over until more ample supplies arrived. Glory to God!

The Lord’s arm has not been shortened. Faith in God is the key to victory! Not looking to yourself, or to your circumstances but to God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. God is greater than all your problems. Greater than anything!

Remember! God provided meat for 600,000 men, plus their wives and children for a whole month because they wanted variety. The Lord can certainly provide for you and yours in a land with tens of thousands of grocery stores and restaurants. Ask and receive! And praise the Lord!

“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” [7]

[1] Numbers 11:4-6
[2] Psalm 78:25; Exodus 16:31
[3] Numbers 11:11-15
[4] Hebrews 13:7
[5] Numbers 11:16-20
[6] Numbers 11:21-23
[7] Philippians 4:19

Led by the Lord

Certain men asked Moses a question. Moses said to them, “Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying…” [1]

The Lord gave Moses the answer after he prayed. The Lord created our mouth and vocal cords. Certainly, He is able to speak. He created our ears. Certainly, He is able to hear. So, let us ask the Lord our questions. Let us wait for His answers. He does answer those who wait on Him.

“So it was always: the cloud covered it [the tabernacle] by day, and the appearance of fire by night. Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents.” “At the command of the Lord they remained encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.” [2]

As Jesus led His disciples around Galilee and the surrounding area, so the Lord led the people of Israel, but the difference being, He led Israel by a cloud by day and by fire at night. Nowadays, the Lord leads us by His Word and Spirit.

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.” “It is the Spirit that makes alive; the flesh profits nothing: the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life.” [3]

“When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies.” [4]

Once, back in August of 1984, the Lord led me to sound a horn after reading this passage. My wife (Sherry) and I were managing a shelter for homeless women and children. We had no health insurance and less than a $100 to our name, and on top of that a large hospital bill looming over us. I had been very ill and bedridden for 28 days. During those 28 days, I had read the Bible from cover to cover. On the day that I finished reading the Bible, the Holy Spirit placed Numbers 10:9 and 2 Chronicles 13:13-18 on my heart.

Based on these passages, I wanted to sound a trumpet to the Lord. I did not have a trumpet so I used a plastic pipe. I blew in the pipe seven times and shouted praise to God. At that moment, the boil in the back of my throat burst. A few hours later, I could painlessly swallow again. My fever was gone. My strength returned. The other trial for which I blew the “trumpet” was our debt. I owed $1,400 to the hospital. On top of this, the price tab for our baby’s prenatal care and delivery at Mizzou University hospital was $3,000.

God won the battle. The Missouri State legislature wanted the psychiatric care ward cleared of people who they deemed as exploiters of the system. They passed legislation to force them out. The hospital started sending them to us. Someone on the hospital’s Board of Regents heard that we sheltered the homeless patients and asked the Board to cancel my $1,400 debt and to reduce the price tag for Sherry’s prenatal care and delivery from $3,000 to $500. After they did that, a check arrived in the mail. The amount was $500. The Lord healed me. He paid our debts. Glory to God!

“Whenever the ark set out, that Moses said: ‘Rise up, O Lord! Let Your enemies be scattered and let those who hate You flee before You.’ And when it rested, he said: ‘Return, O Lord, to the many 1,000’s of Israel.’” [5]

We who bear witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus have enemies. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” [6] That is why we need the Lord to arise and scatter His enemies from before us, and we need Him to return and rest with us when we rest. And He does! Praise the Lord!

We also need to be prepared to go when He says, “Go!” And rest when He says, “Rest.”

[1] Numbers 9:6-9
[2] Numbers 9:16-17, 23
[3] Romans 8:14; John 14:26; John 6:63
[4] Numbers 10:9
[5] Numbers 10:35-36
[6] Ephesians 6:12

Gifting and Regifting

“I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near the sanctuary.” [1]

God appointed the tribe of Levi as His gift to do the work of the meeting place. Praise God for those who serve the Lord so that places of worship and discipleship remain open and operational! Praise God for those who speak the message of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross for unworthy sinners! They help to keep the communication lines open between God and people all over this planet! Praise the Lord! And since sin yields curses and plagues, they help to stave off illnesses by keeping people walking in fellowship with the Lord. Such people are indeed gifts from the Lord, but they may not perceive themselves that way. They may only remember that one task they left undone. They may only remember the comment of that one unhappy person.

At the end of their lives, the Lord’s faithful servants asked Him, “When did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?” The King replied, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.” [2]

So, I want to praise the Lord for such servants! May the Lord bless, keep and make His face to shine upon them.

What about in New Testament times? Are God’s servants still His gifts to people? Yes, they are.

Paul wrote, “Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” [3] Such servants are God’s gifts to help us to connect with Christ and to help us to grow into the beautiful likeness of Christ.

A gift is usually something special. Wrapped nicely! Given out of love for someone! Christ gives us His servants because He loves us.

Consider what it is like to be a gift of God to people! On the one hand, someone whom God gave out of His love for them. On the other hand, someone whom may not receive anything in return for his or her service. Gifts are free! Jesus said, “Love… hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great...” Paul expressed feeling as a spectacle to the whole universe, but nevertheless continued to let God gift and regift him over and over again to others. [4]

“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” [5]

[1] Numbers 8:19
[2] Matthew 25:37-40
[3] Ephesians 4:11-13
[4] Luke 6:35; 1 Corinthians 4:9
[5] 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Preeminent

An angel told the shepherds where to find Christ the Lord. After seeing Him, “They made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.” All who heard what they had to say marveled. [1] They marveled!

The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not see death before seeing the Lord’s Christ. He came by the Spirit into the temple [a huge complex] and there was Jesus with His parents. He embraced the Child Jesus in his arms and blessed God, saying, “My eyes have seen Your salvation… a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” He told the Child’s mother that this Son will be “a sign which will be spoken against that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” [2]

Those who were on the dark side could not restrain themselves from blaspheming Jesus. Thus, their hearts were revealed. To the surprise of some, their religious leaders blasphemed Jesus more than any other.

Anna, an elderly prophetess, served God with fastings and prayers night and day. She spoke of Jesus to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” [3]

“The grace of God was upon Him.” [4]

At age twelve, He stated, “I must be about My Father’s business.” [5]

Paul testified for Jesus Christ, saying, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” [6]

“That in all things He may have the preeminence.” Yes, amen!

[1] Luke 2:8-10, 17-18
[2] Luke 2:25-31, 34-35
[3] Luke 2:36-38
[4] Luke 2:40
[5] Luke 2:49
[6] Colossians 1:15-18

Turning Toward the Lord

John the Baptist was called a prophet of the Most High. [1]

What did the prophet of the Most High do?

He TURNED many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
He operated in the Spirit and power of Elijah.
He TURNED the hearts of the fathers to the children.
He TURNED the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.
He made ready a people prepared for the Lord. [2]

What an excellent example for us!

Turn people, turn fathers, and turn the disobedient to the Lord and to the justness of HIS ways!

John prepared people for the arrival of the Messiah by giving them the knowledge of salvation “by the remission of their sins through the tender mercy of God.” [3]

Are you ready for Messiah’s return? Have you brought your sins to the Lord Jesus and asked Him to forgive you and cleanse you of all your sins?

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [4]

The first step on the road of preparation for the Lord’s return is to acknowledge our need for Him. We need His blood sacrifice on the cross for our sins. We need it applied to our lives personally by confessing to Him our need for His cleansing. As the writer of Hebrews testified, “Almost all things are by the Law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” [5]

Jesus said, “This is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” [6] He referred to the communion cup filled with the fruit of the vine which He instituted to be drank in remembrance of His atoning sacrifice on the cross. We don’t sacrifice lambs or bulls anymore as was done in the Old Testament because the observance and trust in the shed blood of Christ to atone for our sins is sufficient before God for our forgiveness.

John the Baptist preached, “Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” [7]

Did you hear that? All flesh shall see the salvation of God! That includes you, me and everyone else!

John the Baptist urged his listeners to bear fruits worthy of repentance. He told them, “Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” [8]

The people asked John for action steps, saying, “What shall we do then?” He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” [9]

Showing kindness and grace towards others is deemed a TURN toward the Lord. These acts of love are a sign of our respect for our Lord Jesus Christ. These actions prepare us to meet Him.

John the Baptist testified of the transformation work that Jesus Messiah does when we turn to Him with all our hearts and are ready to serve Him. What does Jesus do? “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” [10] Praise the Lord!

Have you received the Holy Spirit? This is what Paul the Apostle once asked some disciples whom he met in Ephesus. They hadn’t even heard about the Holy Spirit. So, Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. [11]

The Holy Spirit infilling is vital to the ministry of witnessing for Jesus. Vital for discipleship! Vital for spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth! Vital for preparing people for the Lord’s return! In fact, the angel Gabriel told the father of John the Baptist, “He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” The Holy Spirit was the source of John’s power to turn so many people to the Lord.

[1] Luke 1:76
[2] Luke 1:16-17
[3] Luke 1:75-76
[4] 1 John 1:8-9
[5] Hebrews 9:22
[6] Matthew 26:28
[7] Luke 2:4-6
[8] Luke 2:8-9
[9] Luke 2:10-11
[10] Luke 2:16
[11] Acts 19:1-6
[12] Luke 1:15