The Blood of the Lamb

“Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, ‘Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families and kill the Passover lamb. And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.” [1]

The Lord kept His Word. The destroyer passed over those who had placed the blood of a lamb over the doorposts of their dwellings while the firstborns of those who did not heed the Word of the Lord died. Previously, Pharoah had issued an edict that all male Hebrew newborns had to be killed. What Pharoah sowed Pharoah reaped. Finally, Pharoah sent Moses and his people out from Egypt. [2]

The blood of a lamb on the doorposts of homes of Hebrews in Egypt!

Now, let’s go to Hong Kong. During the Chinese new year, a tradition exists of lighting firecrackers and sticking couplets in front of doors to preserve what is important to the family. The couplet above the door in the attached picture says, “Peace Joy.” The word on the door can be translated “blessed” or “happiness.” These couplets are usually printed on red paper and placed on the frame of the door leading into the home. It seems that God embedded in the Chinese culture a clue as to every person’s need for a Passover Lamb to preserve their happiness for all eternity.

God embedded another clue for the Chinese people in their language. Righteousness in Chinese is a compound word made up of three Chinese words: righteousness, sheep, and me. The word for me is made up the word for hand and knife. The sheep or lamb is above the word for me. “The Lamb (Jesus Christ) over me (covering my sin) provides me the righteousness of God.” Add the hand and knife element, and you have “A sacrificed Lamb provides me the righteousness of God.” To be passed-over and not destroyed by death, I need the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, to atone for my sin. He is the only Savior.

This truth appears in the last book of the Bible. “And they conquered him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony [saved by God’s grace], for they loved not their lives even unto death [something only the Holy Spirit living in me can help me to do].” [3]

Have you asked Jesus Christ to apply His atoning sacrifice over you? To cleanse you from all your unrighteous ways and to cover you in His righteousness? If not, why not? He gave His life on the cross for you because He loves you.

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” [4]

[1] Exodus 12:21-23
[2] Exodus 1:16; 12:29-32
[3] Revelation 12:11
[4] Romans 5:6-9

Exodus, Joshua and Revelation

The prophetic writings of the Israelites in Exodus and Joshua serve as a foreshadowing of the larger, future deliverance of God’s people that occurs in Revelation.

The Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt via Moses and their entrance into the Promised Land via Joshua foreshadows the entrance of Christ’s followers into the new heaven and new earth.

In Exodus, the Pharaoh used torture to force God’s people to serve him. He issued an executive order that their newborn males should be slain. In Revelation, God’s servant writes, “I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” [1] Revelation’s martyrs cry out for God’s intervention as the Israelites cried out for God’s help in Exodus. [2] God unleashed plagues on Pharoah’s kingdom. He unleashes plagues on the kingdom of the antichrist.

Some of the plagues that God releases against the kingdom of the antichrist are the same as the plagues He released on Egypt: rivers turned into blood [3]; sores [4]; hail [5]; darkness. [6] God freed His people from Pharoah and led them to the Promised Land. When Jesus Christ returns, He will gather His elect from all over the world and bring us into the new Promised Land. [7]

In Revelation, Satan is pictured as a dragon. When the dragon is unable to defeat Christ, he turns against His followers who are pictured as a woman and her children who keep God’s commandments. God gives His people wings of an eagle to escape from Satan. He provides for them a place of fellowship with Him in the wilderness. [8] In Exodus, after their escape from Egypt, God’s people journey through a wilderness to Mount Sinai where they receive the Law of God and enter a covenant with God. The Lord reminded them of His great power: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.” [9]

In Revelation, God’s people are blessed to enjoy rest from their labors. They stand by a sea singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Reminiscent of the children of Israel singing and praising God after they saw Pharaoh’s army vanish in the Red Sea. They see the glory of the Lord, reminding us of the closing chapter of Exodus. [10]

It is interesting to note that Exodus speaks of 10 plagues and 10 commandments. He who opposed God got curses, and he who followed God got commandments. The commandments are guiding principles for living in harmony with God and with one another.

God’s covenant with the Israelites in Exodus is a foreshadowing of the new covenant that Jesus established with us His followers.

The description of the heavenly Jerusalem in Revelation draws parallels to the Promised Land given to the Israelites after the Exodus.

The Lamb in Revelation is a reference to Jesus. The Passover lamb in Exodus is a foreshadowing of Christ. Jesus Christ delivers believers in Him from both physical and eternal death.

Joshua, whose name means ‘God saves’ is as a type of Jesus whose name likewise means ‘God saves.’ Joshua led the Israelites into the earthly Promised Land. Jesus leads His followers into the heavenly Promised Land. Joshua had a seven-year campaign to take the Promised land: 45 years less 38 years spent in the wilderness. [11] Jesus will similarly take possession of the earth after a seven-year tribulation period.

In Joshua, three kings were defeated east of the river Jordan, but seven nations/kings remained to be defeated by Joshua. The enemies of God confederated under Adonai-Zedek. In Revelation, the enemies of God will confederate under the Antichrist. [12].

In Joshua, Israel circled Jericho six days with seven priests blowing seven trumpets. On the seventh day, they circled the city seven times and at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Israel shouted and God destroyed the city. In Revelation, Christ opens six seal judgements but the seventh seal heralds the seven trumpet judgements, blown by seven angels, which in turn leads to seven bowl judgements, and God destroys Babylon the capital city of the Antichrist. [13]

Revelation 11:15 states that “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation shows us that God will prevail. Let our allegiance be to Him alone. His beautiful plan for His followers is recorded in Revelation 21-22.

[1] Revelation 1:9
[2] Revelation 6:9-11, Exodus 3:7
[3] Exodus 7:19-21; Revelation 16:4-7
[4] Exodus 9:8-12; Revelation 16:1-2
[5] Exodus 9:22-26; Revelation 16:17-21
[6] Exodus 10:21-23; Revelation 16:10-11
[7] Matthew 24:31
[8] Revelation 12:13-17
[9] Exodus 19:4
[10] Revelation 14:13;15:5-6; Exodus 14:14-15:21; 40:34-38
[11] Numbers 14:30; Deuteronomy 2:14
[12] Exodus 17:8-16; Numbers 21:21-35; Deuteronomy 2:30-37; Joshua 10:1-14; Daniel 7:8, 24; Revelation 12:3; 13:1-8; 17:3, 7
[13] Joshua 6:1-27; Revelation 6:1-10:11; 15:1-16:21; 17-18

The Pollution Solutiion

Sin damages creation. The solution to cleaning up the sin in the environment is a mass turning of sinners to Christ for forgiveness and renewal. Let us pray for this.

Graciously and Powerfully with Us

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.” [1]

Hallelujah! Then, the angel gave the women a commission, “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” [2]

So, what did they do? “They went out quickly.” They had “great joy.” They “ran to bring His disciples Word.” [3] O may we all become runners to others for the sake of bringing God’s Word to them!

“As they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, ‘Rejoice!’ So, they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.’” [4]

Jesus said, “Rejoice.” They worshipped Him. Then, Jesus commissioned them to “go and tell” His disciples where to meet with Him.

The 11 disciples came to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. [5] They received the witness of the women and acted upon the Word of God which they spoke.

Then, Jesus said to His disciples, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” [6]

This commission of Jesus Christ to His disciples to multiply themselves and baptize the nations is to all of us who believe that He is risen from the dead. To all of us that know He’s returning with an everlasting kingdom that is infinitely better than the kingdoms of this world!

The last recorded prayer in the Bible is a response to the words of Jesus… “Surely I am coming quickly.” The word “quickly” here refers to suddenly. The prayer response is, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” Then, the last line of the Bible is a benediction or blessing to us who are commissioned to take His message to all the world. The last verse of the Bible is, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” [7]

“Yes, Lord Jesus! Thank You for Your grace! Thank You for being with us!”

[1] Matthew 28:5-6
[2] Matthew 28:7
[3] Matthew 28:8
[4] Matthew 28:9-10
[5] Matthew 28:16
[6] Matthew 28:18-20
[7] Revelation 22:20-21

Shepherding

God equips those He calls.

“You shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.” [1]

Shepherds of old carried a rod and a staff. The shepherd’s rod was a stick or club that could be used to discipline, protect and count the flock. The shepherd’s staff was a longer and thinner stick with a hook on one end, used for guiding the flock and for capturing or saving sheep.

Kings are often pictured holding an ornamental scepter—a rod symbolizing their power and sovereignty. Some priests carry staves as a symbol of their power and authority. A shepherd’s rod and staff indicate the kind of services that he provides for the sheep.

The Lord promoted Moses from shepherding animals to shepherding people. The Lord transformed his shepherding rod into the “rod of God” for doing miracles. [2]

With rod in hand, and with God working in and through him, Moses freed Egypt’s slaves from their captors and led them to the Promised Land.

“You [God] led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” “He made His own people go forth like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; and He led them on safely, so that they did not fear; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.” [3]

Jesus Christ is referred to as the “Rod from the stem of Jesse.” Christ shall rule with “a rod of iron” when He establishes the Kingdom of God on earth. [4]

Jesus our Lord is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us. He leads us out of this present world of oppression into His eternal and glorious Promised Land better than the one on earth. All along the way on this journey, His rod and staff comfort us so that we do not fear evil. He is leading us to His house and to His banqueting table. Surely His goodness and mercy will be with us all the days of our lives. [5]

“Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd, thank You for faithfully and skillfully shepherding our souls. Thank You for setting for us an example. By Your grace, please equip us and open doors for us to share the Gospel with others. Please empower and embolden us to shepherd others into Your eternal kingdom - the heavenly Promised Land. In Your Name I pray. Amen.”

[1] Exodus 4:17
[2] Exodus 3:1; 7:10-12; 17:5-7, 9
[3] Psalm 77:20; Psalm 78:52-53
[4] Isaiah 11:1; Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:15
[5] John 10:7-15; Psalm 23

His Works not Mine

“I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.” [1]

I am raising my hand. I can recall so many incidents of foolish and ignorant things I said and did. As to the part of being like a beast, when I was in high school, I actually wore a black t-shirt that said, “Almost Human” on the front side, “But Call Me Animal” on the back side. I was into punk and heavy metal rock-in-roll. That was my identity.

“Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.” [2]

Yes, the Holy Spirit graciously continued to speak to me and help me. God was continually with me not because I was like Him, but because He had mercy on me and graciously loved me. He led me out of sin’s captivity via His Gospel. His Gospel helped me to know for certain that He had a place for me in heaven with Him. I simply have to believe and profess that His Son Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. Based on the merits of His Son, Jesus Christ, not my own, He gives me eternal life as a gift. Praise the Lord!

“You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” [3]

Yes, this is happening. The Lord Jesus is guiding me with His counsel, namely the Word of God, the Bible, and His Holy Spirit. He receives me, a unworthy sinner, to His glory! Hallelujah!

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.” [4]

I know that my Redeemer lives! There are others in heaven that I know. People like my Grandma Czanderna who professed faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. She read and quoted the Bible to me. I sat with her sometimes in church. There are others I desire on earth: wife, children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. But these cannot compare to the greatness of knowing and desiring Christ Jesus my Lord!

“My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” [5]

Yes, my flesh is less resilient now than before, but God is wonderful to me!

“It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.” [6]

Yes, I am grateful for each day that the Lord wakes me up and draws me by His grace to His Word, the Bible. I am grateful for the faith in Him that He has given me. That is why I am declaring HIS wonderful works! Singing songs to the Lord! Glory to God!

[1] Psalm 73:22
[2] Psalm 73:23
[3] Psalm 73:24
[4] Psalm 73:25
[5] Psalm 73:26
[6] Psalm 73:28

Ready for the Lord’s Return

Jesus urged us to be ready, “for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” [1]

He presented to us four examples of readiness for His return…

Faithfully and wisely serving God’s servants [2]
Wisely having sufficient oil to keep your lamp burning [3]
Wisely working with what He has given you [4]
Meeting the needs of His people [5]

Jesus concludes each example by stating who was ready for His return and who was not.

READY: “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.” [6]

NOT READY: “But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [7]

READY: “Those who were READY went in with Him to the wedding; and the door was shut.” [8]

NOT READY: “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But He answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’” [9]

READY: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” [10]

NOT READY: “Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ [11]

READY: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” [12]

NOT READY: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” “’Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [13]

In each case, those who believed that Jesus Christ would return and acted upon that faith were rewarded.

“Heavenly Father, I believe Your Word, and I ask that You would graciously forgive all my sins and grant me grace by the power of Your Holy Spirit to live according to Your Words. Please help me to be ready for the return of Your Son Jesus Christ. In His Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Matthew 24:44
[2] Matthew 24:45-47
[3] Matthew 25:1-13
[4] Matthew 25:14-30
[5] Matthew 25:31-46
[6] Matthew 25:46-47
[7] Matthew 25:48-51
[8] Matthew 25:10
[9] Matthew 25:11-12
[10] Matthew 25:23
[11] Matthew 25:30
[12] Matthew 25:34-36, 40
[13] Matthew 25:41, 45-46

A Perfect Turn

“One is your Teacher, the Christ.” “One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” [1]

When Jesus came into Jerusalem, all the city was moved. The question in the minds of many was, “Who is this?” Multitudes of people answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” [2]

Jesus did not disappoint those who revered Him for His prophetic ministry…

“Then He went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, ‘It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.’” [3]

Which activities in our religious gathering places does Jesus want to replace with prayer?

In the tradition of the Biblical prophets who went before Him, Jesus called out the religious leaders for creating a hierarchy among the people in which they were the alpha dogs. Isaiah actually called the religious leaders of his day dumb dogs who loved to sleep. [4]

“They [the chief priests and scribes] love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi. But do not be called ‘Rabbi;’ for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” [5]

The goal of Jesus was to open the eyes of people so they could see through the lies that the political and religious leaders were perpetrating. Jesus also healed physical eyesight. “Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.” [6]

“When they [chief priests and Pharisees] sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.” [7]

How many of us have considered speaking for God a dangerous occupation? Well, according to the above verse, those who wanted to kill Jesus refrained from doing so because many people regarded Him as a prophet.

This reminds me of the time that some leaders wanted to kill the prophet Jeremiah while others wanted to protect him…

“Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, ‘This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!’

Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: ‘The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster He has pronounced against you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.’

Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, ‘This man should not be sentenced to death! He has spoken to us in the Name of the Lord our God.’” [8]

Jeremiah and Jesus were both protected from harm due to their prophetic reputations. But the Pharisees devised another plan to take Jesus down. It involved flippy the loyalty of a member of His inner circle, and convincing the public by a smear campaign that Jesus wanted to be a king over them, which was actually how THEY were behaving.

Jesus told the evil leaders straight out, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” [9]

Jesus wanted the situation in Jerusalem to be different. He lamented, as did the prophets who went before Him, “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 chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate.” [10]

The last thing Jesus wants for anyone is that they would perish. The last things He wanted for Jerusalem was desolation. He does have a plan for a new Jerusalem, and it will come to pass in due season. He prophesied of it in Revelation 21:1-5.

What is repentance? Please see the attached pictures.

Jesus said, “I have come in My Father's Name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.” [11] Simply put, repentance is a turning away from sin and turning to Jesus Christ for salvation.

[1] Matthew 23:8-9
[2] Matthew 21:10-11
[3] Matthew 21:12-13; Jeremiah 7:11
[4] Isaiah 56:10
[5] Matthew 23:6-11
[6] Matthew 21:14
[7] Matthew 21:46
[8] Jeremiah 26:11-16
[9] Matthew 23:33
[10] Matthew 23:37-38
[11] John 5:43

Seers to Help Them See

Peter to Jesus, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore, what shall we have?”

Jesus to His disciples, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.” [Special roles have been delegated to them.]

Jesus to everyone, “Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” [1]

An hundred times of what they gave comes back to them, plus eternal life.

“God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His Name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” [2]

Then, Jesus told a parable in which a landowner hires four groups of idle workers. He offers each group the same wage. He hired the first group at 9 am, the second at 12 noon, the third at 3 pm and the fourth group at 5 pm. At the end of the day, the earlier groups complained to the landowner because the later groups received as much as they did. The landowner reminded them that they agreed to work for the wage that He offered them. Then, He asked them two questions, “Is it not lawful for Me to do what I wish with My own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?” Then, He concluded with two statements, “The last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” [3]

I am grateful that the Lord called me to serve in His vineyard. All of us who serve Him receive an excellent wage and eternal benefits. Our Lord operates by the law of love and grace. He is good! In the end, those who prioritize being like Jesus, not like the world, receive the greatest reward, namely more of Jesus.

THREE TEACHING moments follow this parable.

THE FIRST TEACHING

He announces that He will be betrayed while in Jerusalem. The chief priests and scribes [who loved position and perks] will condemn Him and hand Him over to the Gentiles [the Romans] to be mocked, scourged and crucified. But on the third day, He will resurrect. [4]

THE SECOND TEACHING

The mother of James and John to Jesus, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”

Jesus to their mother, “To sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

Jesus to His disciples, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” [5]

THIRD TEACHING

Two blind men sitting on the roadside asked Jesus, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”

Jesus asked them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [When you pray, tell the Lord plainly you what you want Him to do for you.]

The blindmen to Jesus, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.”

“Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.” [6]

This miracle of Jesus demonstrates the teachings that proceeded it. We who serve the Lord should keep our eyes fixed on the mission of Jesus, namely to open blind eyes.

The mission of the Church is prophetic in nature. We are to receive revelation from the Word of the Lord (the Bible) and prayer (the work of the Holy Spirit in us), and then share with others who want to see the Lord but are unable to do so. They need seers to help them see.

Our goal is to create communities of believers (disciples) among all nations who let go of this perishing world’s ways to embrace the ways of the coming kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise God! Jesus is willing to work with us. He knows our weaknesses. Just as He helped His twelve disciples work through their hangups, He helps us.

The Lord used His servant Hudson Taylor to make many disciples in China. He once said to a fellow missionary, “Brother, if you would enter that Province, you must go forward on your knees.” And he said to another, “God’s work is never intended to be stationary, but always advancing.”

[1] Matthew 19:27-30
[2] Hebrews 6:10
[3] Matthew 20:1-16
[4] Matthew 20:17-19
[5] Matthew 20:20-28
[6] Matthew 20:29-33

Perfect

“If you want to be perfect…” [1]

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” [2]

“Not that I… am already perfect, but I press on…” [3]

Any achievement done perfectly tends to “wow” those who notice it. For example, the wide receiver who makes a one-handed catch while the toes of his shoes are inside the boundary line on the ground and the remainder of his body is hovering above the ground outside the boundary line. That is a near impossible pass to catch and an extremely difficult pass for the defender to block from happening! Then, there are works of art that seem flawless! Foods that taste perfectly made!

Jesus Christ demonstrated God’s love for people perfectly. This is the kind of perfection that God looks for. In God’s economy, He richly rewards those who love as He loves.

In our pursuit of our heavenly Father’s perfection, we rely on His Holy Spirit: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” [4]

In terms of eternal salvation, the perfection that saves us from condemnation is the perfection of Christ. We confess our need for Him, and He declares us righteous. The perfect merits of Christ fill our account with God perfectly. Christ alone saves us. “God made Him [Jesus Christ] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” [5]

So, what is our incentive to be perfected in love?

There’s the incentive of reciprocation.

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.” [6]

Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” [7]

There’s the incentive of learning what is expected of us by God and working towards it.

“Whoever keeps His Word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him.” [8]

There’s the incentive of being preoccupied with serving Christ until He returns.

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” [9]

There’s the incentive of growing up and not remaining as a child.

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” [10]

The Greek word translated as “perfect” (teleios) in Matthew’s Gospel signifies “complete” or “whole,” implying maturity in one’s growth towards becoming more like God.

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect [complete or mature], therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” [11]

“Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect [complete or mature], go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’” [12]

The Apostle Paul declared that he was not yet perfect, but that he pressed on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. He wrote. “Let those of us who are mature think this way...” [13]

There’s the incentive of being with Jesus.

“If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” [14]

Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” [15]

Jesus said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” [16]

There’s the incentive of better dividends with Jesus.

“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set His seal.” [17]

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” [18]

“The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” [19]

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” [20]

“Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” [21]

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” [22]

There’s the incentive of demonstrating God’s love.

“By this we know love because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” [23]

“He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” [24]

In God’s eyes, to love Him and to love people is to embody perfection.

[1] Matthew 19:21
[2] Matthew 5:48
[3] Philippians 3:12
[4] Zechariah 4:12
[5] 2 Corinthians 5:21
[6] 1 John 4:11-12
[7] John 13:34
[8] 1 John 2:5
[9] Jude 1:21
[10] 1 Corinthians 13:11
[11] Matthew 5:44-48
[12] Matthew 19:21
[13] Philippians 3:12-15
[14] John 12:26
[15] Matthew 4:19
[16] Luke 9:23
[17] John 6:27
[18] Matthew 5:6
[19] Romans 14:17
[20] Matthew 13:44-46
[21] Matthew 19:29
[22] Matthew 6:19-20
[23] 1 John 3:16-17
[24] Luke 3:11

The Absolute Need of Faith in Christ for Salvation

Without the revelation from GOD that we are sinners and cannot save ourselves, we will not turn to GOD for forgiveness.

It is eternally vital that we come to GOD on HIS terms, which is to believe in HIS SON JESUS CHRIST as the only Savior from sin.

Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?

Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” [1]

What are people saying about Jesus? Do they compare Him to the Baptist, to Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets? Those men spoke out against idolatry, exploitation and proclaimed that only the true God saves people from sin.

Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [2]

Yes! Jesus is Messiah! Far superior to all others! Only in Him is there salvation!

Jesus told Peter that he was blessed because flesh and blood had not revealed this truth to him. The Father in heaven had! He told Peter that “on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [3]

The glory of Jesus as Messiah is supreme. The profession of Jesus as Messiah is the rock foundation of the Church. The gates of Hades cannot prevail against it! The profession of Jesus alone as the Christ, the Son of God, is the key of the kingdom of heaven. In Christ Jesus, the devil’s evil is bound and the goodness of God is released.

“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’” [4]

In one moment, Peter made the greatest profession that any person can profess, namely that Jesus is Messiah, but in the next moment, he spoke for Satan when he rebuked Jesus for saying that He would be killed and resurrected.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.’” [5]

Turning people from the power of Satan to the power of God demands sacrifice. [6] It cost Jesus His life. He had to become a sacrifice for sin. He died a cruel and humiliating death to demonstrate God’s love for us. He resurrected from the dead and showed Himself to be alive to witnesses.

Jesus calls us who want to join in His mission, who want to be His disciples, to deny ourselves, pick up the cross and follow Him. He will reward each of us according to our works.

So, what kind of works are we producing? Who are we professing Jesus to be? Are we colluding the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead with fairy tales about an easter bunny or a legend about Saint Nicolas with flying reindeers? Are we denying ourselves collusion with popular folklore to stand with the only truth that saves people’s souls from hell? Picking up the cross and following Jesus is to proclaim Him and Him alone as the only Lord and Savior of souls. After all He did for us, He is worthy of all glory, blessing and praise!

[1] Matthew 16:13-15
[2] Matthew 16:15-16
[3] Matthew 16:17-19
[4] Matthew 16:21-23
[5] Matthew 16:24-27
[6] Acts 26:18

Resting in God’s Grace

“I would have fainted, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” [1]

The Bible often uses the concept of the Promised Land as a metaphor for heaven, with the key idea being that both represent a place of rest, inheritance, and freedom from hardship.

“They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city.” [2]

Though our earthly mission to spread the Gospel requires humility and self-denial, our assets include an eternity with Christ in a land that is full love, joy and peace.

“Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” [3]

“As it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’” [4]

“We who have believed do enter into rest.” [5]

Knowing that Christ has purchased our salvation with His blood… that faith in HIS merits opens the heavenly Promise Land to us… that the heavenly Promise Land is a much better place than this current world, helps us to be at rest and not to faint.

“For you know the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” [6]

G – God’s
R – Riches
A – At
C – Christ’s
E – Expense

We have an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for us. We are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [7]

[1] Psalm 27:13
[2] Hebrews 11:16
[3] 2 Corinthians 4:17
[4] 1 Corinthians 2:9
[5] Hebrews 4:3
[6] 2 Corinthians 8:9
[7] 1 Peter 1:4-5

Our Lord Jesus Christ does Amazing Things

“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” [1]

To not “go with the flow” of ungodly culture but to live for God requires commitment, trust and patience. The Lord will give the yield. There will be a harvest.

“Those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.” “The meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” [2]

The Lord keeps His promise. Our part is to trust Him. He “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” [3]

“The Lord upholds the righteous.” “I have not seen the righteous forsaken.” “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever.” [4]

The Lord is the source of righteousness. He gives, protects and nurtures righteousness in us.

“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.” [5]

Left to ourselves, we could not stay on course, but the Lord saves and helps us. He gives us strength to not faint when trouble comes our way. Strength to know that each trial will pass in due season! Strength to know that many blessings shall come to us when He returns.

“The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above.” “A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident.” [6]

To backslide from the Lord is to turn from the Lord toward stuff, others and self. It is better to do God’s will and have Him satisfy you. God is no man’s debtor. Whatever we give to Him, He blesses.

Self-confidence? Who am I in comparison to the Lord? My life in the hands of God is a recipe for His glory to be revealed. Our Lord Jesus Christ does amazing things. He does all things well. [7]

[1] Psalm 37:5-6
[2] Psalm 37:9, 11
[3] Ephesians 3:20
[4] Psalm 37:17, 25, 29
[5] Psalm 37:39
[6] Proverbs 14:14, 16
[7] Mark 7:37

Rescued by Jesus Christ from the Flames

“The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” [1]

The tares among the wheat are those that offend God and practice lawlessness. Jesus speaks of them being cast into a furnace, but not dying. They wail and gnash their teeth. The righteous are with their heavenly Father and are shining like the sun.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went, and sold all that he had and bought it.” [2]

We should never undervalue the Kingdom of Heaven. Too many are placing all their investments in the temporary treasures of this world. Jesus Christ, who has been in heaven and is in heaven now, compares His kingdom to a treasure and to a pearl. Something worth investing all that we have to obtain!

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” [3]

A judgment day is coming. “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” [4]

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.” [5]

The Lord knows those who are doing right and those who are doing evil. His eyes of favor are on the righteous, but His face is against those who do evil.

“My tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long.” [6]

Those who have asked Christ to forgive their sins, and to clothe them in His righteousness can rejoice because these are works He does easily. Impossible for us, but easy for Him.

“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.” [7]

Jesus Christ is the key to righteousness. We humble ourselves before Him. We profess that He is right, namely that we are sinners in need of a Savior, and that He alone can save us from our sins, and our Lord Jesus forgives our sins and cleanses us from unrighteousness.

“This is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the Name of the Son of God.” [8]

Do you want to be safe from the eternal flames where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth? Believe in the Name of the Son of God! Believe in Jesus Christ! Profess Him as your Savior and Lord! He loves you and wants you to be with Him forever in His kingdom of love.

[1] Matthew 13:39-43
[2] Matthew 13:44-46
[3] Matthew 13:47-50
[4] Hebrews 9:27
[5] Psalm 34:15-16
[6] Psalm 35:28
[7] 1 John 1:8-9
[8] 1 John 5:11-13

A Great Place to Be

“Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” [1]

Having confidence in God’s love for you is a great place to be!

“You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah! I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” [2]

Hidden in God! Preserved from trouble! Songs of deliverance in one’s ears! The Lord instructing, teaching and guiding your life! This is a great place to be!

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” [3]

I can see where having a great army with lots of horsepower under the hood can be a handicap to a nation. Why? Because they may trust in themselves. They may trust in created things to deliver them rather than trust in their Creator.

The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him! The ones who know they need Him! They know they need His favor! They know they need to be in continual relationship with GOD to be safe and to be provided for. I pity the nation whose leaders think they are god, and the people believe their lies.

Being fully persuaded that God loves you and will always take care of you is a great place to be!

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” [4]

[1] Psalm 31:5
[2] Psalm 32:7-8
[3] Psalm 33:12, 16-19
[4] Romans 5:6-10

Heirs According to the Promise

The Lord preserved Sarah, Abraham’s wife, from being defiled by Abimelech King of Gerar. Abimelech had taken Sarah from Abraham. God said to Abimelech, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” Abimelech had not come near to her. The Lord said to Abimelech, “I withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore, I did not let you touch her. Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.” [1]

Sarah gave birth to her firstborn son Isaac when she was 90 years old. She said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” “She also said, ‘Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.’” Jesus Christ descended from Issac’s family tree. [2]

Abraham and Sarah were the happy parents of a boy for whom they waited many years.

Then, one day, God said to Abraham, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” [3]

Though Abraham had waited so long to have a son, and though he loved his son dearly, he obeyed the Lord. God had told Abraham that he would have many descendants. He believed the Lord would keep His promise even if he slew his son. Abraham told his servants, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” When Isaac asked about a lamb for the burnt offering, Abraham told Isaac, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” [4]

A ram appeared at that moment, and Abraham sacrificed it to the Lord, but God also provided His own dear Son to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. [5]

The writer of Hebrews wrote of Abraham’s faith, saying, “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.” [6]

Abraham believed in the resurrection of the dead, but the Lord stopped him from killing his son. The Lord said to Abraham, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now, I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” [7]

“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So, Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, ‘In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.’” [8]

“Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: ‘By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your Seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.’” [9]

The Seed in whom all the nations of the earth are blessed is Jesus Christ. In Christ, sins are forgiven. In Christ, we are clothed with righteousness. In Christ, we receive the blessed Holy Spirit who helps us to live by faith in God, and thus, we see and experience the glory of God.

“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many, but as of One, ‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ.” “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” [10]

[1] Genesis 20:1-7
[2] Genesis 17:17; 21:1, 6-7; Matthew 1:2
[3] Genesis 22:1-2
[4] Genesis 22:5, 8
[5] John 1:29
[6] Hebrews 11:17-19
[7] Genesis 22:11-12
[8] Genesis 22:13-14
[9] Genesis 22:15-18
[10] Galatians 3:16, 29

The Time is Near

“Now before they [the two angels] lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.’ So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, and said, ‘Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly!’” [1]

Imagine Lot trying to protect angels from mere mortals! He did not realize at this point that they were angels. The Bible says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” [2]

“’Stand back! This one [Lot] came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them.’ So, they pressed hard against the man Lot and came near to break down the door. But the men [the angels] reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them and shut the door. And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door.” [3]

God has struck enemies of His Word with blindness on more than one occasion.

“When the Syrians attacked, Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, strike these men blind!’ The Lord answered his prayer and struck them blind.” “Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.” “’And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.’ Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.” [4]

The angels urged Lot to get his family out of the city. Lot’s sons-in-law did not heed his warning but his daughters and wife did.

Two angels was all it took to destroy this wicked city. [5]

“Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace. And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.” [6]

Abraham had prayed to the Lord on behalf of his nephew Lot. God heard and answered his prayer. Thank God for relatives who pray for us.

The Lord had revealed to Abraham his plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. He has revealed to us His plan to judge the world in righteousness in the Book of Revelation. He will replace the kingdoms of this world with His kingdom. [7]

The Book of Revelation is for all God’s servants. “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.” [8]

During the lasts days before the Lord returns, He will authorize His angels to strike the world with wars, ecological disasters, plagues and pestilences. [9]

The good news is that multitudes of people from every nation will be saved before the Lord returns. “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” [10]

Knowing these things in advance of their occurrence, let us pray as Abraham prayed for his nephew Lot, and let us warn those who are about to perish as Lot did.

Jesus said, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” [11]

[1] Genesis 19:4-7
[2] Hebrews 13:2
[3] Genesis 19:9-11
[4] 2 Kings 6:18; Acts 9:8; Acts 13:11
[5] Genesis 19:12-25
[6] Genesis 19:27-29
[7] Revelation 11:15
[8] Revelation 1:1
[9] Revelation 8-9; 15-16
[10] Revelation 7:14-17
[11] Revelation 1:3

Ruling and Reigning with Christ

In a covenant relationship with God that lasts forever!

“When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you and will multiply you exceedingly.’” [1]

Notice that God initiated the covenant with Abram. And what did Abram have to offer God at age 99? The Lord wanted a man who would aim to walk blamelessly before Him. He wanted a man through whom He could bring forth children who would not defile others. God wanted a nation of people who would honor His Word. They would help people to be holy as God is holy rather than defile people.

“I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” [2]

“For I [the Lord] have known him [Abraham], in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” [3]

Abraham is God’s example for us to follow. The men of Sodom and Gomorrah are God’s example for us not to follow. They were defiled by sin, and they delighted in defiling others.

“The Lord said, ‘The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great… Their sin is very grave.’” [4]

The Lord is patient, He doesn’t want anyone to perish but that all should reach repentance. In fact, when Pharisees saw Jesus sitting at a meal table with tax collectors and sinners, they questioned His disciples about this unbecoming behavior for a holy man. Jesus told them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” [5]

The Lord Jesus gave Himself as a living sacrifice for our sins on the cross. He really wants everyone to experience paradise with Him forever. To be able to say with King David, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” [6]

In the last book of the Bible, Revelation, the Lord speaks of giving to His followers authority to rule the nations. “ The one who conquers and who keeps My works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I Myself have received authority from My Father.” [7]

Can you imagine a world where Christ-like people enforce the rules of God on the earth?

“You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” [8]

Yes, those who have sacrificed themselves for the sake of being witnesses for Jesus and the Word of God shall reign with Christ for 1,000 years.

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the Word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a 1,000 years.” “They shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him a 1,000 years.” [9]

God gave His prophet Isaiah promises about this future millennium…

“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” [10]

“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.” “They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” [11]

“No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.” “The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, says the Lord.” [12]

The Lord spoke of Messiah through His Prophet Zechariah, saying, “On that day His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.” [13] Jesus shall once again stand on the Mount of Olives. This time as a victorious King!

The disciples of Jesus wanted Him to bring about this day immediately. “They asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’” Jesus said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [14]

So, our commission from the Lord is to believe that the day of His return shall come, and unimaginable blessings will flow when He does, but until then, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to help us be His witnesses. To keep covenant with our God! To help people to become holy by leading them to Christ. In Christ, sins are forgiven and the Holy Spirit is imparted.

[1] Genesis 17:1-2
[2] Genesis 17:7-8
[3] Genesis 18:19
[4] Genesis 19:20
[5] 2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 9:10-13
[6] Psalm 23:6
[7] Revelation 2:26-27
[8] Revelation 5:10
[9] Revelation 20:4, 6
[10] Isaiah 2:2-4
[11] Isaiah 11:6, 9
[12] Isaiah 65:20, 25
[13] Zechariah 14:4
[14] Acts 1:6-8