On the Lord's Day
(Mt18:19-20)
God is the Lord (Ps16:2; Rev1:8).
He made the heavens and the earth, and all things in them and He is their Lord.
Furthermore, He gives life and He is the Lord of life (Ac3:15).
Faith is acknowledging Him as the Lord and
The life of this faith is putting effort to be inspired by the Holy Spirit in order to be judged as the living
On that day (2Ti4:16).
People in the world work hard many days for that one special day in their life,
But Christians toil and put effort for the Lord's Day for
Remembering the Creator and keeping Sabbath provides them all things,
While remembering the Lord of life on the Lord's Day provides them life.
In the Ten Commandments,
God commanded the Israelites to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (Ex20:8-11), since
God made all things in six days in the beginning and
The day He finished His work and entered rest was the Sabbath (Ge2:1-2).
They put all their effort to keep the commandments because
They wanted to increase the length of their days
On the land that God promised their ancestors, as
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all died full of days (Ex20:12; Dt30:20).
The sanctuary where the stone tablets were placed in the Testimony
Reminded them this.
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would give the life of God to all souls for
He is the incarnate Word in whom was life (Jn1:1, 4, 14),
The life and the way to the Father's house (Jn14:1-6).
As He died prematurely (Is53:4), Jesus commended His spirit to the Father (Lk23:46), and
Said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
Acknowledged that the Father is the Lord of life;
Condemned the ruler of death (He2:15; 1Jn3:8); and
Gave Himself as a ransom for all people and through His blood sowed the seed of life in them (1Ti2:6; 1Pe1:19, 23).
His resurrection was a new thing, which was
Not there during the six days of creation for
It is life that has no beginning or end (He7:3).
Jesus ascended to heaven, and sat on the heavenly throne as
The Lord of life who reigns with life (Ac3:15).
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of life who
Testifies His resurrection and testifies that He is the Lord of life.
For the Christian is he who longs for the life of Jesus,
When he is full of the Spirit on the Lord's Day,
He sees heaven open and
Sees someone who looks like the Son of Man, He who lives (Rev1:9-20)!
Therefore, for the Lord's Day
He toils six days of the week through prayer, preaching and service etc. so that
He would be found as the living on the day the Lord returns (1Th4:16; 2Ti4:1-6).
O Lord,
We admire John who was on the Island of Patmos
On the Lord's Day in the Spirit, looking up to heaven.
Thank You for giving us
The church, the space isolated from the world, and
Worship, the time isolated from the world.
On the Lord's Day
Let us all be inspired by the Spirit and see heaven open!
Amen.
The Lord Who is In the Gathering
(Mt18:19-20)
God is the Lord of all (1Ch29:11-12; Eph4:6).
He has all things that He made in His hands (1Ch29:11; Ac14:15), and
He is above all, unifies all and is in all.
Faith is longing to become one with Him, and
The life of this faith is putting effort to gather as the Day approaches (He10:25).
While in religion individuals train themselves through asceticism or discipline,
In Christianity different individuals put effort to come together into the gathering for
God is in the individuals within all or overall.
Whether a family, a society or a nation,
For any group to be formed it must gather, and
For that gathering to endure, all wills, hearts and ideologies must become one.
Mankind, however, was never able to achieve this perfect unity since
Adam was deceived by the devil (ho diabolos, the divider) and sinned (Ge3:5).
Thereafter, man became divided from God, man from man (Ge3:24, 4:16), and
The mind from the body.
God's work of unification began by calling "my people
The Israelites who were separated in the land of Egypt (Ex3:6), and
Led them into the desert and
Made their eating and drinking uniform (Nu20:5), by which
He also unified their hope - entering the land of Canaan (Dt8:18).
Furthermore, He commanded them to build
The Tabernacle of Meeting so that He would dwell with them (Ex25:8),
As it was a meeting place with God and
Thus unified the interest of the entire people.
Nevertheless, because their hearts could not be unified
There was revolt even before the Tent of Meeting (Nu14:10).
Thus, the prophets cried out for them to gather together and flee to the fortified city (Jer4:5)
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would bring unity between God and the souls of all men, for
He is the incarnate Word who was with the Father in the beginning (Jn1:1, 14, 18), and
The God who is greater than all is His father, and
He and the Father are one (Jn10:29-30).
Thus, when He appeared a crowd of many thousands gathered
So that they were trampling on one another (Lk12:1), for
Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather (Lk17:37).
As He died, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
Became one with all through His death, being set apart from the Father, acknowledged that the Father alone is above all (Php2:6-8);
Judged the divider (1Jn3:8); and
Sprinkled His blood for those who are hungry for life so that they may become one with Him (Eph1:7-10).
He rose and ascended to heaven, so that
The Son of Man is in the Father, His blood is in us, and
We are in the Holy Spirit (Jn14:20).
When the disciples who were scattered
Gathered in the name Yeshua
The Holy Spirit came - that is, to the church (Mt18:19-20; Ac2:1-4).
The church is the gathering of those who have
Eaten the flesh of Jesus and drank the blood of Jesus, and
Breathe the same and have the same dream of going to one Father's house (Eph4:1-6).
Therefore, Christian puts every effort to gather, and
To make the gathering successful, puts every effort to put himself to death, for
He longs to be in the church the bride
On the Day she and the groom Christ gather and unite (Rev21:2, 9-10, 19-27).
O Lord,
Unify our dreams so that
We may put effort to gather on this earth and
Live together forever in that heaven.
Amen.
The Day Called “Today”
(He3:13; Jas4:13-17)
God is the same forever (He13:8).
His existence is the same, and
His will is the same (Jas1:17), and
He gives those who live according to His will the same life and the same glory that He has.
Faith is knowing Him and longing for Him, and
The life of this faith is living daily according to His will.
Though the history of mankind has endured since the beginning,
A man’s life is like mist that is here today but gone tomorrow,
Like fog that is here in the morning but gone by evening, for
There is no certainty about it.
The only certain thing there is, however, is that:
On the day called “today” I am living; and
On the day in the future called “today” I will die, the most shocking event of my life.
The Bible teaches this fact from the beginning,
When God made all things on each day of the six days of creation,
Indicating that each day is different.
In spite of the fact Adam enjoyed the abundance of the Garden of Eden,
Because he was deceived by the serpent and sinned,
His life changed completely within a day and he was banished from there (Ge3:24).
When Noah entered the ark in the year that he turned 600, on day 47
Water covered the entire earth and everything that had breath in its nostrils died (Ge7:4, 6).
When the Israelites escaped from Egypt at the end of the 430 years, to the very day (Ex12:40),
Their identity as slaves changed to the people of God (Ex19:6).
And by crossing the Jordan after 40 years of their desert life,
They ended it within a day and entered Canaan (Jos4:3).
In spite of all this, their hearts continued to be hardened, for which
The prophets cried out to them to
Choose today God so that they may live (Dt30:19-20; Jos24:15).
The Testimony inside the sanctuary
Promised them the life of the flesh.
When it was time, the Son of God Jesus came as the offspring of the woman(Gal4:4),
Having a beginning and an end as the Son of Man, and
Said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days” (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would put an end to time and give the same life and the same glory as God
To the souls of all men.
While to men who do not know whether they have tomorrow or not
Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow (Mt6:25-34),
For He Himself knew what He would do today, tomorrow and the third day (Lk13:32-33).
As He died, Jesus said, “It is finished” (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
Glorified the Father who alone is the same forever (Php2:11):
Condemned the devil whose heart changed one day (Is14:12-15; Jn3:8); and
Absorbed into His body the days that have “today” and “tomorrow” and tore His flesh, opening a new chapter, that is, the kingdom of heaven where there is no time.
The Father raised Him, and
Jesus rose and ascended to the heavenly throne, and He is the same forever (He13:8).
The Holy Spirit comes to the believer who
Received the eternally same blood of Jesus and
Lets him see “tomorrow,” the day when he can go to paradise.
On the day called “today,” therefore,
The Christian does not have a sinful, unbelieving heart (He3:12),
Does not worry about tomorrow (Mt6:34), and
Does not put off the work that needs to be done today, for
On another day called “today,”
When the most shocking even of his life, his death, happens
He will go to paradise.
O Lord,
Though we are like gnats that only live a day
We worry about tomorrow and waste our days!
Teach us to number our days (Ps90:12) so
We may live our best on the day called “today.”
Amen.
Encouraged by the Holy Spirit
(Ac9:26-31)
God is the God of all comfort (2Co1:3).
To comfort His Son He made the heaven (He1:2), and
For those who are comforted by Him He made the thrones.
While religion is man's effort to comfort himself,
Faith is receiving only God's comfort, and
The life of faith is by His comfort strengthening the church.
Though there is sadness, pain, disaster, and toil, for which man needs comfort,
There is no true comfort in compensation, severance pay etc.
For God wounds, but He also binds up (Job5:18).
As such, after Adam sinned he was banished from the Garden, and
God put before him thorns and thistles (Ge3:14-24).
God's comfort began with the exodus of Israel, when
They left their slavery of 430 years with great possessions (Ge15:13-16), and
God daily sent them manna for 40 years.
In spite of this, however, they did not understand God's plan,
Like Job who attempted to comfort himself with his self-righteousness (Job6:10).
Yet the prophet spoke of a time when God will comfort them in Jerusalem (Is66:13).
Thus, they longed for the promised consolation of Israel (Lk2:25)
To come from the temple where the name of Jehovah was.
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would comfort the souls of all men,
Even though there was nothing in His appearance to reveal such and
His life was filled with sorrow, suffering, pains and punishment (Is53:3-11).
But as He died, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
Laid down His life and waited for the comfort of the Father, acknowledging that the Father alone does not need comfort for He is the Comforter (Lk23:46);
Condemned the devil who was self-serving (Is14:12-15); and
Redeemed the sins of men who became sinners according to the plan of God (Ge2:17; Rm5:14).
The Father raised Him and
Ascended Him to the throne in heaven (Ac2:32-33).
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter who
Comes in the name of Yeshua
To encourage the believers and the church (Ac9:31).
For the church is the second public life of Jesus Christ,
It is only natural for her to face sadness, pain, suffering, toils and danger.
Therefore, she waits on the comfort, the encouragement of the Holy Spirit
To be strengthened and increase the number of those who believe.
O Lord,
Even if we are isolated in the world,
Even if our church is isolated in "the church community,
We will not be discouraged.
Let the Holy Spirit encourage and strengthen our church so that
Through us the number of believers will increase and the truth will spread!
Amen.
Witnesses of Jesus
(Lk24:44-49)
God is the true God (Jer10:10; Rm3:10).
There is no lie in Him (He6:18), and
Through facts He testifies that He is true (Lk1:1-2).
Faith is receiving His testimony and
The life of this faith is testifying the things that have been fulfilled.
Legal experts, journalists, historians, military experts, investors etc.
All value facts, and thus investigate and pursue the truth.
Yet because of facts
Many in the history of mankind have unfairly failed or died.
This is because, while there is reality, fact or thing for man
There is no truth in him.
Adam, the ancestor of all men, was deceived by the devil and sinned (Ge3:4; Jn8:44).
Consequently, all men became liars.
By contrast, God is true
For He does not change (Jas1:17), and
The Bible was written to testify Him (Jn5:39):
Calling the heavens and the earth as witnesses (Dt30:19);
Through the Law and the sacrifices in the sanctuary (Jn5:46);
Through the prophecies of the prophets (Jer1:12);
By sending the Son (Jn8:14);
Through the Holy Spirit (Jn15:26).
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19),
Because through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would testify that the Father alone is true for
He is the incarnate Word who was with the Father in the beginning (Jn1:1, 14).
Though He is testified by the Scriptures (Jn5:39), the Father (Jn8:18), the Holy Spirit (Jn15:26), and
Even the signs and works that followed Him (Mt8:16-17),
Men considered Him to have given false testimony, thus,
Handed Him over to death (Mt27:23).
As He died, however, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
Laid down His life to fulfill the writing of the Law and the Prophets, testifying that the Father alone is true (Lk24:44);
Condemned the father of lies (Ge3:4; Jn8:44; 1Jn3:8); and
With His blood redeemed the souls of all men to lead them to the truth (Mt20:28).
The Father raised Him, and
His resurrection is the fact that was fulfilled, and
It testified that Jesus is truly the Son of God (Lk1:1-2).
Through their changed lives
The disciples became witnesses of His resurrection (Ac4:13).
The Holy Spirit who witnessed His resurrection
Comes to testify His resurrection in believers and
Lets them become His witnesses.
The witness of Jesus is he who received
The testimony of the Spirit (Rm8:11; Ac1:8, 3:15).
Therefore, through the fact of his truly changed life
He testifies the resurrection of Jesus,
Not fearing death, boldly laying down possessions (Ac2:44-47, 4:13),
Turning away from past life, forgiving enemies (Ac7:60),
Taking risks and living solely by prayer (Ac4:29-31).
O Lord,
If we believe that Your resurrection is a historical fact,
Then, is it not natural for our life to change?
If we do not change
We would make our Lord Jesus out to be a liar!
O Lord Jesus,
Let us all become Your witnesses!
Amen.
Faith and Evidence
(Mk16:14-20)
God is righteous (Ps7:9).
He Himself is righteousness, and
The word that comes from Him, the Son who comes from Him are all righteousness.
He justifies those who believe in His righteousness.
Faith is believing Him and becoming righteous, and
The life of this faith is testifying Him and being testified by Him, until arriving in the home of righteousness (2Pe3:13).
Righteousness refers to a measuring stick or law.
When one acknowledges it and keeps it, he is declared righteous,
But when he denies it and breaks it, he is considered unrighteous.
Though the righteousness in the world changes with time and place,
Anyone who thinks differently and acts differently than the majority at a given time is
Considered unrighteous or abnormal.
Despite the fact that the word of God is right,
Adam was deceived by the serpent who
Insisted in his own righteousness (Ge3:4-5; Is14:12-15), and
Became a child of unrighteousness (2Pe2:19).
The Bible includes a cloud of witnesses of faith (He12:1):
Noah, when warned of things yet unseen, built an ark and was mocked because of it (Ge6:7),
But when the flood came and judged the world
He became heir of righteousness following faith (He11:7).
Though Abraham was well past childbearing age,
Because he believed in the word of God,
His faith was credited to him as righteousness (Rm4:18-22)
He gave birth to a son at the age of 100 and
His faith was confirmed (Ex15:4-6; He11:11-12).
Following the instructions of God,
The Israelites built the sanctuary (Ex25:8), in which was
The Testimony with the stone tablets, a vase with manna and Aaron's budded rod (Ex25:21-22),
The evidence that God was with them.
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would reveal that He is the righteousness of God,
The incarnate Word who was with the Father in the beginning (Jn1:14, 18).
He testified that God was the righteous Father (Jn17:25),
While the Father testified that He was the righteous Son (Mt3:17, 17:5; Jn8:18), for which
The Jews considered Him to be blasphemous.
However, Jesus testified that His word was true by
Driving demons and healing the sick (Jn10:37-38).
As He died, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
Died according to the Father's word and testified that His word was right (Ge2:17; Jn10:18);
The Father decided the Son to be righteousness, thus, condemning the devil to be the unrighteous (Rm5:19; 1Jn3:8); and
Opened a way for men to become righteous by faith (Rm3:26-28).
His resurrection testified that
His death was a righteous act (Ac5:30-31).
The Holy Spirit comes in the name Yeshua and
Testifies that He is seated on the throne as the righteous Judge (2Ti4:8).
The Christian is he who knows that
He has been justified by faith and by faith alone (Rm3:25-28).
Therefore, to become heir of righteousness
His faith testifies Jesus (Mk16:20; Ac1:8), and
In turn, signs accompany his faith to confirm it:
The gift of tongues, laying hand to heal, driving out demons, praying, preaching etc., which are
The righteous acts of the believer (Ac2:13).
O Lord,
We do not care what the majority of people say about us.
If You alone would acknowledge us to be walking the right path,
We would be greatly satisfied!
O Lord,
When we lay our hands and drive out demons, let there be healing.
When we pray, let there be answers every time, so that
We would be testified that we are not out of our minds but that we have the right faith!
Amen.
The Resurrection of the Son of Man
(Lk24:1-17, 36“49)
God lives for ever and ever (Rev4:10).
He was before, He is now and
He always will be (Rev4:8).
Faith is believing Him and longing for Him.
The life of faith is becoming His witnesses.
If a dead man comes back to life in a body that never dies,
Such news would be the most shocking event in the history of mankind for
Science cannot raise to life the cells that have already perished and died.
As such, if the resurrection of Jesus in the Bible was an actual, historical fact,
Then, the history of mankind must change as a result for
Believers will resurrect like Him (Jn11:25-26).
God revealed His living existence through
All things He created (Rm1:19-20).
However, Adam, the ancestor of mankind, was deceived by the devil and
Sinned, wanting to be like God, for which
The spirit of all men died (Ge2:17, 3:4-6).
The father of faith, Abraham, gave his only son as a burnt offering because
He believed that the God who gave him a son
When his body was as good as dead at the age of 100 could
Surely raise his son from the dead (Rm4:19).
To his offspring Moses, God introduced Himself as "I AM THAT I AM, since
Though Abraham was, Isaac was and Jacob was, they all died (Ex3:6, 14).
God, however, always is.
Before the Testimony inside the Most Holy Place, the place of meeting with God,
The staff of the chosen budded (Nu17:4-5),
While the dead that touched
The body of the man of God, the prophet, was raised to life (1Ki17:21-22) as
They were all signs of God raising His chosen among the dead in the future.
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would give to all men the resurrected body that would never die (1Co15:52), for
He is the incarnate Word from the beginning (Jn1:1, 14),
The God who is before Abraham was born (Jn8:58) who
Called out from the tomb Lazarus who had been dead for days (Jn11:39).
As He died, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1. Laid down His life according to the Father's command to received it again, and put to death the flesh of man (Jn10:17-18);
2. Condemned the ruler of death, the devil (He2:14; 1Jn3:8); and
3. With His blood redeemed all men's sin and sowed in them the seed of life (Lev17:11; 1Pe1:23).
The Father raised Him among the dead and
Jesus became the first fruit of resurrection (1Co15:20),
The resurrection of the spiritual body that has flesh and bone,
Yet transcends space, the body that lives forever (Lk24:36-39).
The Holy Spirit, the Spirit who gives life (Rm8:2),
Testifies that Jesus lives and is seated on the throne (Ac5:30-32).
The man of the Spirit is he who has
Completely changed the direction of his life
Because of the greatest, the most shocking event of the entire history of mankind,
That overturns all values and meanings in life - the resurrection of the Son of Man.
Therefore, in order to participate in the resurrection of life
He risks his life in becoming a witness of resurrection (Php3:11).
O Lord,
As wheat buds from the frozen soil and sprouts come out of all branches
When spring comes,
Let us all be raised to life
When the Lord of life Jesus Christ returns!
Amen.
The Death of the Son of God
(Mt27:30-40)
God is perfect (Mt5:48).
His plans are perfect and
His character, His love is all perfect.
Faith is knowing Him and longing for Him, and
The life of this faith is following Him willingly, taking up one's own cross.
Since there is no other shocking news for man than death,
It is the most dominant topic for news headlines and rumors.
As such, deaths of the famous, the powerful and family members are shocking for
It is the termination of one's life and the fading of one's existence in history.
The death of one man named Jesus 2000 years ago is
Still relevant to all mankind
Since if he is the Son of God as He said He was
All men will face the divine vengeance.
The Bible indicates its origin.
After the ancestor of mankind, Adam, was
Deceived by the serpent and sinned (Ge2:17, Ge3:4-6),
While the flesh returns to dust thereafter
The spirit would go to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Mt25:41).
God struck the pharaoh of Egypt, and
On the night of Passover
He rescued the Israelites who had the blood of lamb (Ex12:13, Ex12:27)
As He had prophesied to Abraham (Ge15:14).
God commanded them to build the sanctuary where
The stone tablets with the commandments were (Ex25:8; He9:4),
For them to remember for generations to come.
First, they were to love God with all their hearts, all their soul and all their strength (Dt6:5);
Second, they were to love their neighbors by not harming them (Mt22:37-40).
The Law, however, was based on retribution for those who were harmed by their neighbors:
An eye for eye, a tooth for tooth, a burn for burn and death for death etc. (Ex21:23-29).
While those who killed deliberately were put to death,
Those who killed unintentionally were exempt (Ex21:12-14).
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would tear down the old commandment and raise a new (Mt5:38-48; 1Co9:21).
As He was subjected to terrible humiliation and pains (Mt27:27-31),
Jesus died and said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1. Died according to the Father's command and achieved His perfect will to make Him an heir (Jn10:17-18; He1:1-2);
2. Condemned the devil who knew that He was the Son of God and murdered Him with sin (Mt4:3; Rm8:3; 1Jn3:8); and
3. Forgave all men who unknowingly sinned and unknowingly killed the Son of God, revealing the Father's perfect love (Ge3:5; Ex21:12-13; Lk23:34; 1Jn4:10).
The Father raised Him and
Jesus entered the kingdom of love and sat on the throne (Col1:13, Col1:16).
The Holy Spirit comes to those who received the name Yeshua and
Lets them have the Father's heart (1Co2:10-11; Rm5:5-10) and
Lets them know the perfect love of God for all men.
The man of the Spirit is he who
Following the new commandment of Christ loves whomsoever (Jn15:12) and
Does not revenge those who harm him (Mt5:38-44; 1Co13:5),
For they do not know what they do (Ac7:60).
O Lord,
This is the most shocking event in history:
The event of created men brutally killing the Son of the Creator!
Even so, You did not revenge and
Rather allowed men to be exempt for killing unknowingly, and
By sending the devil ahead, You let him become the murderer.
How great is Your love for us!
Let us preach this great love to the point of losing life!
Amen.
To God What is God's
(Mk12:13-17)
God is the beginning of all things.
He is the beginning of life and glory (Pro4:24; Jer2:13; Jn1:4, Jn1:14), and
All things return to Him (Ecc1:5, 5:15).
Science searches the beginning of life and studies it,
While religion and philosophy examine the beginning of all things.
Nevertheless, their efforts are in vain for they can never find it.
Faith is knowing who the beginning is, and
The life of this faith is returning to Him what is His and finally returning to Him.
After Adam sinned,
His flesh which came from dust returned to dust (Ge3:19)
His spirit that comes from God could no longer return to Him (Ge2:7).
Thus, all his descendants became wanderers (Ge4:12).
When God called Abram to make him the beginning of blessing,
God instructed him to leave his father's house and go to the land He showed him (Ge12:1), for
God promised it as a new place for him to begin as the father of faith (Ge15:7).
As such, his descendants, Israel, lived in a foreign country, Egypt
As slaves for 430 years (Ge15:15-16), after which
They finally entered the Promised Land, Canaan,
As the blood of lamb was their turning point (Ex12:14).
For God wanted them to remember this for generations (Ex12:14)
He commanded them to:
1. Sprinkle the blood of lamb and give sacrifices in the sanctuary (Ex13:11-16); and
2. Give a tenth of their earnings and offerings to the house of God (Lev25:38; Lev27:30; Mal3:7-10).
It was to remind them
Where they came from and where they were to return (He11:13-16).
However, as their faith became corrupted
The prophets cried out for them to return to God (Mal1:8-10, Mal1:14, Mal3:6-12).
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would return His life and His glory to the Father, for
He is the incarnate Word in whom was life and glory (Jn1:4, Jn1:14, Jn17:10).
As He died, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1. Returned His blood to the Father and committed His spirit to the Father
As the cross was His turning point (Lk23:46; Php2:8-11);
2. Condemned the thief who sinned in heaven (Is14:12-15); and
3. With His blood redeemed sinners and made a way for them to return to the Father (Jn14:6; He10:19).
The Father raised Him and
Jesus finally returned to the Father.
The Holy Spirit whom He sent
Comes to those who received His blood and
Lets them know that their soul must return to the Father.
The true Christian knows that
His flesh of dust will return to dust one day and
His soul must return to the Father of spirits
Through the turning point of his cross.
Therefore, to commit his soul to the Father on the last day (Ac7:59),
He returns to the Father his possessions while on earth
Through tithes and offerings, as well as his breath (Mt23:23; Mk10:29).
O Lord,
The sun returns to the place where it rises,
The wind returns to the place where it blows (Ecc1:5), and
Everyone comes naked from their mother's womb and so they depart (Ecc5:15).
Yet we fools are managing our possessions in vain.
Thank You for letting us know
Where we must return and how we must return.
Let us return to You through our turning point!
Amen.
Wait for the Promise of the Father
(Ac1:11)
God is faithful (Dt7:9; Hos11:12).
He is faithful for Himself and
He carries out His promise for those who wait for it, even to a thousand generations.
Faith is believing Him, and
The life of this faith is having His promise and waiting for it.
When a promise-maker is living
His promise is living, and thus,
One waits for the faithful promise-maker to keep the promise.
The Bible defines men of faith (He11:7-17):
Those who believed and successfully waited for the promise of God.
For Noah received the warning about the flood and
Received the promise of salvation (Ge6:18-8:13),
He built the ark for 70 years, and
Waited inside the ark for the water to recede for a year after the flood, and
Finally, he was able to set his foot on the new earth.
At the age of 75, Abraham received the promise of a seed (Ge12:2-4, Ge21:4), and
Without doubting, he waited and received a son at the age of 100 (Rm4:19).
Until he received Rachel as his wife
Jacob waited for 14 years as a servant (Ge29:20).
Israel waited for the restoration of their kingdom (Ac1:6), and
The coming of the promised Messiah, Christ (Mt11:3; Jn4:25), for
They received the first covenant made by the blood of animals (Ex24:6-8; He9:18).
As such, the sanctuary was designated as the place of waiting (Ps24:7-8), and
The prophets reminded that God's promise was surely fulfilled (Ps37:7-9; Hab2:3).
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would fulfill the promise, the first covenant, and
Make a new promise for the new land, the Father's house (Jn14:3).
Thus, when He died, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1. With His blood fulfilled all promises of the first covenant and established the better, eternal promises, becoming its Mediator (He9:15, He10:9);
2. Condemned the father of lies (Jn8:44); and
3. Became a ransom for sinners and made a way for them to go before God, their Father (Mt20:28; He10:19).
According to His promise, Jesus rose from the grave (Mt16:21), and
Ascended to the heavenly throne as the Faithful (Rev19:11).
And according to His promise, the Holy Spirit came (Jn14:16, Jn16:13)
To those who believe, and
He lets them wait for His promises (Ac1:4-5, Ac2:1-4).
The man of the Spirit is he who
Prays in the name Yeshua and waits for the answer (Mt18:18; Jn14:13-14),
Preaches to sow and waits for the fruit (2Ti4:2), and
Perseveres and endures patiently to prepare himself
As a bride waits for her groom to return (Mt25:1-13; Rev21:1-4).
O Lord,
While the prophet Anna spent 84 years in the temple fasting and praying day and night
Waiting to see the first coming of Christ (Lk2:36-38),
We, who wait for the return of the glorious King Jesus, are so unfaithful.
Lord,
You alone are the promise maker, the promise keeper!
Let us wait patiently for Your promises!
Amen.
Wait for the Promise of the Father
(Ac1:11)
God is faithful (Dt7:9; Hos11:12).
He is faithful for Himself and
He carries out His promise for those who wait for it, even to a thousand generations.
Faith is believing Him, and
The life of this faith is having His promise and waiting for it.
When a promise-maker is living
His promise is living, and thus,
One waits for the faithful promise-maker to keep the promise.
The Bible defines men of faith (He11:7-17):
Those who believed and successfully waited for the promise of God.
For Noah received the warning about the flood and
Received the promise of salvation (Ge6:18-8:13),
He built the ark for 70 years, and
Waited inside the ark for the water to recede for a year after the flood, and
Finally, he was able to set his foot on the new earth.
At the age of 75, Abraham received the promise of a seed (Ge12:2-4, Ge21:4), and
Without doubting, he waited and received a son at the age of 100 (Rm4:19).
Until he received Rachel as his wife
Jacob waited for 14 years as a servant (Ge29:20).
Israel waited for the restoration of their kingdom (Ac1:6), and
The coming of the promised Messiah, Christ (Mt11:3; Jn4:25), for
They received the first covenant made by the blood of animals (Ex24:6-8; He9:18).
As such, the sanctuary was designated as the place of waiting (Ps24:7-8), and
The prophets reminded that God's promise was surely fulfilled (Ps37:7-9; Hab2:3).
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would fulfill the promise, the first covenant, and
Make a new promise for the new land, the Father's house (Jn14:3).
Thus, when He died, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1. With His blood fulfilled all promises of the first covenant and established the better, eternal promises, becoming its Mediator (He9:15, He10:9);
2. Condemned the father of lies (Jn8:44); and
3. Became a ransom for sinners and made a way for them to go before God, their Father (Mt20:28; He10:19).
According to His promise, Jesus rose from the grave (Mt16:21), and
Ascended to the heavenly throne as the Faithful (Rev19:11).
And according to His promise, the Holy Spirit came (Jn14:16, Jn16:13)
To those who believe, and
He lets them wait for His promises (Ac1:4-5, Ac2:1-4).
The man of the Spirit is he who
Prays in the name Yeshua and waits for the answer (Mt18:18; Jn14:13-14),
Preaches to sow and waits for the fruit (2Ti4:2), and
Perseveres and endures patiently to prepare himself
As a bride waits for her groom to return (Mt25:1-13; Rev21:1-4).
O Lord,
While the prophet Anna spent 84 years in the temple fasting and praying day and night
Waiting to see the first coming of Christ (Lk2:36-38),
We, who wait for the return of the glorious King Jesus, are so unfaithful.
Lord,
You alone are the promise maker, the promise keeper!
Let us wait patiently for Your promises!
Amen.
He is Going Ahead of You into Galilee
(Mt28:7-10)
God is the First (Col1:18).
He is before all things (Col1:17), and
He goes ahead wherever it is.
He wants to be the First of not only the things that will perish
But by raising first the Son who came from His bosom from the dead and
Let Him enter first the eternal heaven which He made, so that
He would be eternally the First.
Faith is acknowledging Him, and
The life of this faith is putting effort to follow the path He went ahead.
Every road has someone who had gone on it first, and
Every place has someone who had set his foot in it first.
While those who get ahead on everything become famous and respected,
They certainly face danger and solitude along the way.
After Adam sinned and hid in the bush,
God sought and approached him first (Ge3:8-9).
God first called Moses in Mount Horeb and
Instructed him about the exodus of Israel (Ex3:4).
Furthermore, before he went into Egypt
God sent his brother Aaron to meet him in the wilderness (Ex4:27).
After the exodus, the Israelites marched, following the pillars of fire and clouds (Ex13:21).
They put the ark ahead of them and crossed the Jordan (Jos3:3-6), because
God went ahead of them and they were able to go on such path
Though they had never gone there before.
The sanctuary was where the name of the Lord God was and it was
Also where the Ark was, and thus,
It was a reminder that God always went ahead of them.
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would be the first to go ahead to the Father's house (Jn14:1-6), where
No one has ever gone before (Jn3:13).
As He died, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1. Laid down His life, making the Father's will first, and glorified Him (Jn10:17; Php3:11);
2. Condemned the devil who tried to be the first (Is14:12-15; Eze28:14-17); and
3. Tore His flesh and the wall of sin, and made a way for those who believe Him to follow Him to the Father's house (Jn10:7; Eph2:14; He10:19-20).
His death confirmed the Father's love that loved sinners first (Rm5:6-8; 1Jn4:19), and
His resurrection was the first fruit of resurrection (1Co15:20),
Becoming the First of those who will follow Him to resurrection (Php3:10-11; Col1:17-18).
The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus (Ac16:7), came in His name and
Lets believers know that Jesus went ahead of them.
Therefore, the man of the Spirit
Believes that, until the end of the world,
The Lord goes ahead wherever he goes (Mk10:32), and,
Thus he is not afraid (Mt28:10).
Furthermore, he willingly takes on risks and solitude (Lk9:23),
Putting effort to do what others do not,
Go to the path others do not take, and
Go to the place where others do not go, for
He longs to arrive in the first resurrection when the Lord returns (1Co15:22).
O Lord,
We believe in what others do not believe:
Your resurrection and the resurrection of our bodies.
So it is only natural that the world calls us crazy.
We know that this path is one of persecution, opposition and solitude.
When You return
Let me and all those You have given me
Be at the place where we will be the first to see Your face!
Amen.
To Be Found In Christ
(Php3:7-16)
God is omniscient.
He knows all things (1Ki8:39; Ps11:14), and
He sees all things (Job11:11).
Faith is acknowledging His eyes, and
The life of this faith is counting as loss what one once thought were gains in order to be found in Him.
Even though God always sees all things,
One ought to be found in Him for He:
1. Seeks the lost to save (Lk19:10);
2. Calls those whom He wants to use as glorious vessels (Mk3:13).
Since Adam felt that Eve's voice was louder than the God's eyes, he sinned.
Consequently, he was banished from the Garden and
His descendants became wanderers (Ge4:14).
To seek the lost souls and save them,
God saw Moses going up to the holy mount to tend sheep, and
Called him to make him the deliverer of Israel (Ex3:4; Ac7:34).
Furthermore, God saw the heart of David from his young age and
Anointed the shepherd boy to become a king of Israel (1Sa16:7, 1Sa16:12).
The name of the Lord God was in the Temple and
It was where His eyes were open night and day (1Ki8:29).
However, Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would seek and save the lost souls of men (Lk19:10), for
He came as the savior king according to the prophecies (Lk2:26-30) as
Testified by the Father in heaven as His beloved Son, in whom the Father is pleased (Mk3:15), and
By the disciple on earth as Christ, the Son of the living God (Mt16:16).
As He died, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1. Died as the Son of God, the very holy nature God, and glorified the Father as the omniscient God (Php2:11);
2. Used His death as His authority as the King and condemned the prince of the world
who stole souls from God (Ge3:4; Jn10:18; 1Jn3:8); and
3. By His own blood obtained eternal redemption and made a way for lost souls to find their way to salvation (Rm1:4; He9:12).
The Father raised Him and testified that Jesus is Christ, the King of kings, as He sat on the heavenly throne.
The Holy Spirit comes in the name Yeshua
To those who believe and receive His name (Jn1:12; Ac16:31).
The Christian is he who was found by God and
Who puts effort to be found by Him again:
1. He is found as an unbeliever and is saved (Ac10:1-6);
2. He is found in Christ to be used (Jn1:48); and
3. He hopes to be found in faith when Christ returns (Php3:9-11).
Therefore, with passion
He worships, serves, preaches and prays,
Elevating his soul to the highest level, and
To be found in Christ
He loses all that he thought was gain, such as honor, material, knowledge and righteousness.
O Lord,
Thank You for finding me when I was lost in the world, in sin and death.
Now I want to be found in You.
Rather than being "normal in the world,
I want to be crazy, crazier for You
If I can be found in Your eyes!
Amen.
Since God So Loved Us
God is love (1Jn4:8).
As the object of His love, He made man and
As the expression of His love, He sent the only begotten Son as an atoning sacrifice.
Love includes the attribute of reconciliation:
As a father yields to his young son and intentionally loses to him,
When men were still weak and sinners (Rm5:6-8),
Since before the creation God loved us and
Sent His son in the flesh according to His plan (Eph1:3-6).
Faith is knowing His love and being moved by it, and
The life of this faith is putting effort to keep this loving relationship with Him and with the souls He gave.
Deceived by the devil,
Adam sinned and was banished from the Garden, which
Then was shielded by a flaming sword to prevent him from returning there (Ge3:24) -
A demonstration of the wall of enmity between God and man (Eph2:14).
God gave the Law to the Israelites so that
Those who sinned would be punished (Ex32:35-38), for
The sinner is God's enemy.
The many divisions and layers in the sanctuary and the veil (Ex26:1-14, Ex26:33) were all
Copies of the wall of hostility between God and men (He8:5).
However, since God commanded them to
Sprinkle the blood of the appointed animal and burn its fat for a fellowship offering (Lev3:7-11),
The people of Israelites were able to maintain a peaceful relationship with God, albeit temporarily.
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it gain in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would tear down the broken relationship between God and men and
Establish a loving relationship between them, for
He came as the Son of Man, God's concessions for mankind,
To give His life as an atoning sacrifice (Mt20:28; Rm5:10).
As He died, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1. Laid down His life to confirm that the Father alone is love (Rm5:6-8; 1Jn4:9-10);
2. Condemned the divider (Ge3:4; 1Jn3:8); and
3. Tore His flesh like a veil, the wall of hostility, and gave His blood as an atoning sacrifice, a fellowship offering (Mt27:51; Rm3:25; He10:20).
The Father raised Him and He entered the kingdom of the Son He loves (Col1:13), and
As the Lamb on the throne He eternally testifies God's love for men.
The Holy Spirit comes to those who
By faith received God's love through the blood of Jesus, and
Lets them be moved by that love.
The man of the Spirit has
God's love poured out into his heart and is moved by His love.
He resists sin, God's enemy, to the point of shedding blood (He12:4), and
Rather than seeing the appearance of others
He only sees their souls, thus
Putting effort to be the first to concede and lose to them, and love them.
O Lord,
For You loved our souls,
You kept us from the pit of destruction and
You have put all our sins behind Your back (Is38:17).
Let us also have the eyes to see through
Our neighbor's clothes, flesh and bones so that
We can put their flaws and weaknesses behind our back.
Let us only love souls!
Amen.
The Choice You Make
(Lk 15:11-32)
God is the God who has person.
He honors His own free will, and
He also honors the free will of others.
Faith is deciding on one's own to believe.
The life of this faith is enjoying the freedom that comes as a result of making one's own choice.
While man may regret the result of the choice he made,
When he does not have any choice he feels humiliated and becomes unhappy for
It is considered inhumane to be treated in such a way.
Yet choosing one's father and king is not an option.
Although Adam had the freedom to govern all things in the Garden of Eden,
Except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Ge 2:16-17),
Because he was deceived by the devil he sinned and was
Thus banished from the Garden (Ge 3:1-24).
All men thereafter became destined to bear the burden of worries, pains and death as
They are the result of one's choice.
When the people of Israel were in Egypt because of their ancestors (Ge 37:36),
God sent Moses and showed various miracles (Ex 6:5-6), because of which
The pharaoh surrendered and hurried them to leave (Ex 12:33).
After passing through the Red Sea and arriving in the desert,
They began to grumble and complain, longing for Egypt (Ex 14:10-12) since
It was not the choice they themselves made to be there.
Before crossing the Jordan
They made a choice and arrived in Canaan (Dt 30:19-20).
Even so, however, they rejected God as their king and asked for a man king (1Sa 8:5).
Furthermore, they worshiped other gods and
Delighted in their abominations, choosing their own ways (Is 66:3).
Nevertheless, the temple where the name of the Lord God was
Stood as a source of comfort and hope for the people as
It reminded them of how God delivered them from their slavery and enemies.
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn 2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would fulfill the Father's will for He was sent as His chosen servant (Is 43:10).
And He spoke and did according to the Father's will.
As He died Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn 19:30), declaring that He:
1. Willingly chose the path to lay down His life and honored the Father (Jn 10:17-18);
2. Condemned the devil who chose his path to corruption (Is 14:13; 1Jn 3:8); and
3. Redeemed with His blood all men and paid the price of their sins,
which were due to the bad choice that their ancestor Adam had made (Mt 20:28),
making a way for them to make their own choice (Jn 14:6).
The Father raised Him and His resurrection proved that He made the best choice.
Jesus ascended to the heavenly throne as the King of kings who reigns forever.
The Holy Spirit came to those who
Willingly chose to believe and receive the name Yeshua (Jn 1:12; Ac 2:36-39) for
God highly considered men and let them chose their Father and King.
The man of the Spirit is he who
Made his own choice to return to the Father (Lk 15:11-32).
Therefore, he willingly worships Him and
Does not grumble or complain regardless of the tests that he faces for
It is the choice he himself made.
O Lord,
We willingly chose the One in heaven who has free will as our Father, and
We willingly chose the One on the heavenly throne as Christ.
Let us never complain or grumble about the choice we made!
Amen.
Seek the Face of the Lord
(Ps 42:1-3)
God is the living God (Ps 42:2).
For He is living He appears (He 9:28), and
He meets with those who seek His face.
Faith is yearning for Him, and
The life of this faith is seeking His face (Ps 27:8).
Although the face is only a part of the body,
It represents the entire body and the person.
As such, the dead are grieved for, since their faces can no longer be seen,
While the living are cherished because their faces can be seen.
After Adam sinned and was banished from the Garden of Eden,
God put a flaming sword around the Garden (Ge 3:24) so that
Men thereafter could not see the face of God (Ge 4:14).
Though once called by God and spoke with Him,
Moses saw not the face of the Lord
But only the back of the Lord (Ex 33:23).
Furthermore, even in the sanctuary where the light of His face can be seen (Da 9:17),
It was covered in many layers for
No sinner may see His face and live (Ex 33:20).
After that time, the word that was revealed by many prophets was that:
1. Their sins and iniquities have hidden God's face from them (Is 59:2; Jer 33:5; Mi 3:4);
2. He would reveal the face of the anointed one (Ps 84:9); and
3. The upright will see His face (Ps 11:7).
When the time had come, God sent His Son, and
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn 2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would finally reveal the face of God (Jn 14:9) for
He is the incarnate Word who was with the Father in the beginning (Jn 1:1, Jn 1:14, Jn 1:18).
Though the disciples were marveled by His face that shone like the sun (Mk 17:2),
For in the eyes of men Jesus had no beauty or majesty to attract them to Him
They despised and rejected Him in the end (Is 53:2-3).
As He died, however, the temple veil tore (Mt 27:51), and
He said, "It is finished (Jn 19:30), declaring that He:
1. Laid down His life and revealed that the Father alone is the living God (Php 2:6-8);
2. Condemned the divider (Ge 3:14; 1Jn 3:18); and
3. Tore His flesh and the wall of sin between God and men, and shed His living blood to redeem, making a way for sinners to seek His face (Ge 3:24; Eph 2:14).
Jesus rose and sat on the heavenly throne, and
He lives for ever and ever (Rev 1:18).
The Holy Spirit comes in the name Yeshua to him who
Received the living blood and saw His face inside his soul (Jn 14:17, Jn 16:13).
The man of the Spirit is he who
Yearns to see the face of the living God (Ps 42:2; Rev 22:4).
Therefore, until he can see the Lord face to face in the air
When He returns (1Co 13:12; 1Th 4:15-17; Rev 22:1-5),
He sees the face of the Lord through worship (Mt 18:20; Jn 4:23-24), and
Continually prays and sees His face through his own angel (Mt 18:10; 1Th 5:17).
O Lord,
When can my soul see Your face?
Day and night in tears I yearn for You
Because You are certainly living!
Without despair or worries my soul waits, so in that day
Reveal Your face to me and all those You have given me!
Amen.
Man and Success
(Mk 9:14-29)
God is self-existent (Ex 3:14).
He is the only uncreated One, and
He can do all things without anyone else's help (Ge 18:10).
Faith is acknowledging this and longing for Him, and
The life of this faith is putting effort to be successful by God's help.
In spite of the fact that every man wants to be successful,
In reality only a few are successful since
Though the heart is willing, the body is weak and
Only a few can surpass its limits.
Furthermore, most cannot receive help and support.
As Adam lived in the abundant environment of the Garden of Eden,
He forsook the fact that his help comes from God
Who made the heavens and the earth (Ps 121:1-2).
As a result, he was deceived by the devil and sinned.
Further, he was banished from the Garden: his failure (Ge 3:24).
Moses, on the other hand, was called by God from the Mount Horeb and
Began his conversation with God (Ex 3:4), which resulted in
The exodus of Israel out of their slavery of 430 years: his great success (Ex 12:40-41).
God instructed him to build the Tent of Meeting (Ex 25:8, Ex 28:43)
As a place of conversation between
The people of Israel and God - albeit through the high priest.
Accordingly, during his run, David sought God's help
By inquiring of Him with the priest's ephod (1Sa 23:6-10).
Subsequently, his life was spared and he later received the throne.
Similarly, Daniel risked his life in a foreign land and
Prayed in the direction of Jerusalem (Da 6:10-23).
Thus, he prospered even after the dynasty had changed (Da 6:28).
As such, with the name of the Lord God in the Temple
It was where Israel can pray to the Lord God and be heard (1Ki 9:3).
But Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn 2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would now open the conversation between God and all men for
He came as the temple in the name of the Father (Jn 17:11),
The house of prayer for all nations (Mk 11:17).
As He died, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn 19:30), declaring that He:
1. Laid down His life and acknowledged that the Father alone is self-existent who alone can save Him from death, glorifying Him (He 5:7; Php 5:7);
2. Condemned the devil the divider (1Jn 3:8); and
3. Tore His flesh like a veil and opened the place of conversation between God and men (He 10:19-20).
The Father raised Jesus up and
His resurrection proved that His death was not a failure but a success.
The Holy Spirit comes in the name Yeshua inside the believers and
Gives them the authority to ask in His name (Jn 1:12).
As the Spirit of intercession, He helps their weakness (Rm 8:26).
The Christian uses this authority by praying in the name Yeshua,
For he does not want to sin by failing to pray (1Sa 12:23)
Since Yeshua commanded prayer (Jn 14:13).
Therefore, he always prays and overcomes (Lk 18:1; Lk 21:36; Eph 6:18) -
To finally succeed like Yeshua (Jn 14:12-13).
O Lord,
Who are we that You want us to succeed?
As You wish,
Give us the power to pray and succeed at whatever we do.
Let us support those whom we love with prayer.
Amen.
To the River of the Water of Life
(Rev 22:1-5)
God is the Lord of life (Ac 3:15).
Life comes from within Him (Jn 1:4), and
With life He reigns (Rev 22:1).
Faith is believing Him and longing for Him, and
The life of this faith is knowing life as one's priority and bearing its fruit.
While water is an absolute element for life,
It is not an absolute guarantee, as
Water once overflowed during the time of Noah and all living creatures died (2Pe 3:6).
From the Garden of Eden where Adam lived
A river flowed into four separate headwaters.
As such, the Garden was an abundant place (Ge 2:10).
However, because Adam ate the fruit God had forbidden
He was banished from it and the tree of life (Ge 3:24) for
The sinner and life are irrelevant.
When God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt
He led them through a vast and dreadful wilderness, a thirsty and waterless land (Dt 8:15),
Displaying the curse sinner's descendants receive.
Nevertheless, when they followed the instruction of God, the spring of living water (Jer 2:13),
All the people and their animals drank from the water that sprang out of the rock (Ex 17:6).
Yet most of those who complained fell in the desert and died (Nu 21:5),
While only a few of them crossed the Jordan and entered the land of Canaan (1Co 10:5).
The Temple of Jerusalem built on Zion was where
The name of the Lord God reminded them of
The prophecy that said a fountain will flow out of it (Joel 3:18; Zec 13:1) and that
They would be satisfied (Ps 1:3; Is 58:11).
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn 2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would give the water of life, the true drink for the soul (Jn 6:53-55, Jn 7:37-39) for
He is the true fountain, the river of the water of life prophesied to come,
The incarnate Word who came with the life in Him (Jn 1:1, Jn 1:4, Jn 1:14).
As He died, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn 19:30), declaring that He:
1. Laid down His life and revealed that the Father alone is the Lord of life and fulfilled His will of giving life to the souls of all men;
2. Condemned the ruler of death (He 2:14-15); and
3. Tore His flesh and tore the wall of the flaming sword blocking the way to the tree of life (Ge 1:2, Ge 3:24; He 10:20), and poured out water and blood for all men to drink from the river of living water (Jn 19:34; 1Co 10:3-5).
The Father raised Him up and sat Him on the heavenly throne,
Making Him the Lord of life (Ac 3:15).
The Holy Spirit who comes from there in the name of Yeshua
Comes inside believers and
Lets the river of the water of life flow from within them (Jn 7:38-39).
The man of the Spirit is
He whose eyes are set on the King's highway of Zion (Ps 84:5-6).
For he longs to go before the river of the water of life where the throne is and
His tears never run dry.
Through him, from the narrow road, from the valley
Many fountains are open and reach to bring life to others (Mt 7:14; Eze 47:1-12).
O Lord,
My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord, for Your life!
Even if I have to pass through the Valley of Tears,
Let me never lose strength for my heart is set on the King's highway.
Let me bear the fruit of life!
Amen.
The Glorious Ministry
(2Co 3:1-18)
God is the Lord of glory.
He reveals Himself as glory and
He rewards with glory.
Faith is knowing Him, and
The life of this faith is knowing His work as the glorious ministry and doing it.
A letter has a glorious ministry,
Depending on the status of its sender and its content.
Once delivered, its glory can be seen.
Once called by God, Moses was sent to Egypt and
Spoke as God instructed him (Ex 3:10, Ex 4:15-17).
Thus, he tasted the glory of watching the pharaoh falling on his knees (Ex 12:31-33).
Furthermore, Moses was called up to the mountaintop where
The glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire, and
Stayed there for 40 days and 40 nights without eating or drinking (Ex 24:14-18).
Finally, when he came down with two stone tablets,
His face was radiant and the Israelites were afraid to look at him (Ex 31:18, Ex 32:19, Ex 34:1, Ex 34:29-35).
The work of delivering the engraved letters on the stones, however, was not glorious,
But rather it was a ministry that brought death (2Co 3:7),
Engraved with an iron tool, the written code that condemns (Jer 17:1).
Yet the sanctuary where the stone tablets were placed,
Reminded the Israelites the glory of the Lord God in their midst.
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn 2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would bring glory to the Father (Jn 17:4) for
He is the incarnate Word, the glory of the one and only Son (Jn 1:1, Jn 1:14).
As He died, Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn 19:30), declaring that He:
1. Lowered Himself and revealed that the Father alone is the Lord of glory (Php 2:8-11);
2. Condemned Satan who challenged His glory (Is 14:14-15); and
3. With His blood that was poured out from His torn flesh revealed the Father's will to raise men to life, and fulfilled the glorious ministry (Jer 17:1; 2Co 3:8-11).
The Father raised Him and also brought Him glory (Jn 17:4) and
Jesus sat on the throne in heaven to receive glory forever.
The Holy Spirit came to those who believe in His name and
Gives them a glorious ministry as letters of Christ,
Written in their souls with His blood (Ac 1:8; 2Co 3:1-6).
Therefore, a letter must:
1. Be delivered according to what is written;
2. Be delivered swiftly and
3. Participate in the joy and the eternal glory of what is delivered.
O Lord,
What are we that You are mindful of us?
You not only raised us to life but also lead us to see Your glory!
Let us all deliver what we have heard and do it swiftly.
Let us be torn of our pride and confidence and be opened so that
Your glory alone may be revealed!
Amen.
I Am Writing To You
(1Jn 2:12-17)
God is the God of revelation (Jn 1:1, Jn 1:14).
He reveals Himself according to the way He decided before the creation of the world, and
He reveals Himself in the same way to those who receive the word of His revelation.
Faith is knowing Him, and
The life of this faith is experiencing the written word in one's life, and overcoming.
The Bible is called "the Holy Bible or "the Holy scripture as it is the holy writing.
Its writers, time of writing, purpose, application etc. are
Entirely different from the books in the world.
What is especially different is that
Its original copy has been kept in heaven before the creation (Ps 139:16; Rev 5:1), and that
The written events are continually taking place to this day (Mk 16:17).
The writing of the OId Testament began with
Moses according to God's directions (Ex 17:14; Dt 31:24).
Its contents are the Pentateuch, the Chronicles, the Psalms and the Prophetic Books.
The sanctuary which God commanded the Israelites to build with
The stone tablets inside the Ark of the Testimony
Reminded them that God revealed to them, albeit indirectly, through the word.
Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn 2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would fully reveal the Father for
He is the incarnate Word who was with the Father in the beginning (Jn 1:1, Jn 1:14, Jn 1:18)
The very nature God in the flesh (Php 2:6).
Accordingly, His entire life was applied to the written word:
His conception, birth, dwelling, traveling, works, words, suffering, death etc.
(Mt 1:22-23, Mt 2:1, Mt 2:14-15, Mt 4:4-10, Mt 13:14, Mt 13:18, Mt 26:24).
In the final moment of His death,
Jesus said, "I am thirsty (Jn 19:28), and
Fulfilled the scriptures, strengthening the authority of the writing.
Furthermore, He said, "It is finished (Jn 19:30), declaring that He:
1. Laid down His life and fulfilled the Father's word, giving glory to Him (Ge 2:17, Ge 3:15; Jn 10:17-18);
2. Condemned the devil who challenged the word (Ge 3:5; 1Jn 3:8); and
3. Became a ransom for those deceived by lies (Ge 3:4-5; Mt 20:28).
He rose and ascended to heaven, and
He is the Lamb on the throne (Rev 5:6).
The Holy Spirit comes in the name Yeshua and
Lets believers understand the written word and live according to it.
The purpose of studying the Bible is eternal life (Jn 5:39), and
Its content is about (1Jn 2:12-17):
1. The forgiveness of sin;
2. The Father in heaven; and
3. The power to overcome the spiritual warfare.
The man of the Spirit has
Through the Lamb, Jesus the scroll opened
At the right hand of Him who sits on the throne (Rev 5:1-9).
Therefore, for he knows that the Day of Judgment is near (Rev 1:3)
He puts every effort to live according to what is written and overcomes, for
He longs to finally stand before the One on the throne in that day.
O Lord,
For such a long time
My soul was in a deep sleep and my eyes were sealed to Your book (Is 29:10-12).
But now that my soul has woken up from this sleep, and
I can see heaven through this written book!
I can see the One on the throne!
Lord,
Let me live according to the written word, and
In that day let me stand before You.
Amen.