Are We Sincere?

Psalm 50

We all like to hear someone say “thank you” to us when we’ve done them a kindness.  And we all certainly like to hear “I love you” from others.  However, sometimes we can tell that those words were not spoken sincerely.  We can hear in the tone that the person was prompted to say it, or perhaps they were saying it because they were looking to get something from us or gain some favors.  That can hurt our feelings, and make us feel sad, or even angry.  We like acts of gratitude and words of love to be true and sincere.  The same is true with the Lord, as we see in our psalm for today.

As we take a quick look at our psalm, we see a majestic portrait of God given, as He calls the earth to hear His Words (vs. 1-4).  His glory shines forth with majesty, and flames of fire surround Him.  This is not some petty bureaucrat, rather the One who is calling us is Yahweh, the Creator and Lord of the whole universe.  He calls us all to a divine courtroom.

Most of us have seen a courtroom drama on TV or in the movies, and some of us may have had to testify in court.  The Lord calls to all in heaven, the heavenly angelic beings, and all on earth who have made a covenant with Him to appear in court (vs 4- 5).  We are the defendants, and the Lord God is both the prosecuting attorney and the judge.  Though we may sometimes run across a corrupt, prejudiced, or otherwise unfair judge, or a lying, dishonest prosecutor here on earth, we can be sure that God is righteous (vs. 6).

So what is it that the Lord testified against His people?  He did not rebuke them for failing in bringing sacrifices to the Temple, as they did perform that.  God did not need the bulls, goats, or other cattle that were brought for sacrifice, as all creation belongs to Him (vs. 8-13).   The same is true today.  God does not need anything.  He does not need our money.  He does not get hungry and needs us to sacrifice an animal for Him to eat (vs. 12-13).

So what does the Lord want from us?  God had required animal sacrifices in the Old Testament, so why would He be angry with the people when they were bringing these offerings?  It had to do with their heart attitude.  Were they begrudgingly bringing their sacrifices?  They may have come to the Temple and said all the right words, they may have mouthed the “thank you”, the “love you”, the “I’m sorry”, but they didn’t truly mean it.  We do not appreciate it when people may speak similar words in a cavalier and insincere way, and neither does the Lord.

Just as we don’t like it when someone makes us a promise, and we find that those were insincere, meaningless words, neither does the Lord.  In this divine courtroom setting, Yahweh not only tells us that He wants our sincere thanksgiving, but also He wants us to pay the vows, fulfill the promises we have made to Him (vs. 14).  When we do we can call upon Him, and He will deliver us from our troubles.

The Lord continues on in our psalm and brings some rather strong condemnation for the wicked.  He chastises them, saying they have no right to be quoting His Words, when they won’t even obey those Words (vs. 16-17).  One moment they are quoting the Bible, and the next moment they are all chummy with thieves and adulterers, sinful and unscrupulous people.  They speak lies and slander, and will say that God doesn’t mind, He approves of everyone, regardless of their behavior (vs. 19-21).  However, that is not the case.  One day they will find out that God will rebuke them and tear them in pieces.  There will be no one for them to turn to at that time (vs. 21-22).

In closing God instructs us that He wants sincere and heartfelt, meaningful words.  He wants our words of praise, and for our behavior to match the words of praise that we bring (vs. 23). When we come to the Lord in worship, let’s be sure that our words are sincere and honest, and that our offerings to Him are given with genuine love and thanksgiving in our hearts.

The Coming Day On The Mt. Of Olives

Zechariah 14:4-9

If anyone were to ever think that the Bible is a dull and dusty book, they have not read our Scripture passage for today.  What we read today in our verses from the Prophet Zechariah about what will occur when the Lord Jesus returns to earth, is certainly not dull.  We watch many movies and TV shows filled with action, yet they are just fiction, just stories.  What Zechariah describes is just as action filled and exciting, however this is not fiction.  It is something that will occur on the day Jesus returns to earth.  Let’s look at this Scripture passage.

The Prophet Zechariah’s ministry was during the years after the Babylonian captivity, after the Jewish people returned to their homeland.  He encouraged the people to remain faithful to God, and continue in the work of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem.  He taught that God is sovereign over the whole world, despite any appearance to the contrary.  The book also contains many of the visions he had of the future, particularly of the coming Messiah, prophecies of both His first and His second coming.  The prophecy in our passage today is one highlighting the day of Jesus the Messiah’s Second Coming.

As our Scripture opens, Zechariah describes an event that will occur on the day that Jesus returns to earth, at the tail end of the Tribulation.  When He returns, He will come back to the Mount of Olives, which is just outside of Jerusalem, on the east side of the city.  Jesus and His apostles were very familiar with that area, having traveled around it frequently.  The village of Bethany, where His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived, is on the southwestern side, and the Garden of Gethsemane is at the foot on the western side of the mountain, just outside of Jerusalem’s east side.  And it was from the Mount of Olives that Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11).  When His feet touch the mount, it will split down the middle, the divide running from the east to the west, making a valley in the middle (vs. 4).

During the Great Tribulation, believers in the Lord Jesus will be terribly persecuted, with multitudes being martyred.  This persecution will run right up to that last day when Jesus returns, and the split in the Mount of Olives will provide a route of escape for those persecuted believers who live in Jerusalem at the time (vs 5).  Zechariah states that when Jesus returns, He will bring all of His saints with Him, resurrected believers who had either died or were raptured prior to this event.

Next the Prophet Zechariah describes how at this time, when the Lord returns to earth, there will not be the clear light that we know and observe from the sun, but neither will there be darkness like we have a night (vs. 6-7).   We see something very similar described in the Book of Revelation, where in the City of God there is no need for the sun to provide light during the day, nor the moon to reflect light at night, for the Lord God gives the light (Revelation 21:23; 22:5).  The Lord’s reign is one of divine nature, and will transcend natural laws and human understanding.

Another event that will occur at this time is that a river of living water will begin to flow out of Jerusalem (vs. 8).  This river will flow in two directions.  Half will flow towards the east, to the “Eastern Sea” which refers to the Dead Sea, east of Jerusalem.  The other half will flow towards the west, towards the “Western Sea”, which is the Mediterranean Sea.  The Dead Sea will no longer be undrinkable and unpalatable, as the life-giving water from the Lord will flow into it.  This river symbolizes the life-giving and purifying presence of the Lord, and will flow year-round.

In verse 9 we read of the beginning of the reign of the Lord Jesus on earth.  He is king over all the earth, One Lord and One Name.  This fulfills the promise of His eternal kingdom (Revelation 11:15).

In closing, we see a preview in this prophecy of Zechariah’s of the events right at the time of Jesus’ return to earth.  We can know the promise of God’s protection and provisions during the time of the Tribulation, and during any time of trial in our life.  At that time, and in all times we need to embrace the divine light of Jesus Christ, living in His truth and guidance, and we can have the spiritual nourishment and blessings that flow like living water from a relationship with Jesus.  Are you ready for His return, and are you living in anticipation of that day?

What Is Truth?

John 18:33-38

Is there such a thing as absolute truth?  Absolute truth means that something is true no matter what, regardless of opinion.  A couple of examples are that the sun is hot, and that gravity pulls objects downwards to earth.  There are some people who think that all truth is relative, that we can each have our “own truth”.  What's true to you may not be to me is their philosophy.  They believe that the truth is not black and white, but various shades of gray.  However that is not reality or true.  If someone could take a flight to the sun, they would find out, regardless of if they believed it or not, that it is super hot.  If their “personal truth” didn’t include gravity, once they jumped off of a building they'd quickly find out that there is absolute truth.  Pontius Pilate asked when he questioned Jesus on the day of His crucifixion, “What is truth?”  Let’s look at the Scripture passage, and see what the Lord can teach us here.

Several hours before our Scripture passage begins, the Sanhedrin had arrested Jesus.  He was given a mockery of a trial and they charged Him with blasphemy, the penalty being death.  However, being under Roman rule, the Jews were not allowed to execute anyone on their own.  Since the Jewish leaders really wanted Jesus dead, they brought Him to Pontius Pilate, who was the Roman Governor of Judea at the time, hoping he would agree with them and order Jesus’ execution.  The Sanhedrin added the charge of Jesus supposedly calling Himself a king so the Romans might also charge Him with treason.

Jesus was standing before Pilate when our Scripture began, and Pilate questioned Him about the accusation of being the “King of the Jews” (vs. 33).  If Pilate found this to be true, then he had to act, as no one could threaten the rule of the emperor, Tiberius Caesar.  Jesus responded by asking Pilate whether he was asking this on his own accord, or had the Jewish leaders put him up to it.  He answered that he wasn’t Jewish, and that they were the ones who arrested Him (vs. 34-35).  Jesus acknowledged that He was a king, but that His kingdom was not a part of this world (vs. 36).  Jesus’ kingdom is heavenly and eternal, not earthly and temporal.

Jesus continued by saying that He came into this world to bear witness to the truth.  His mission is to reveal God’s truth to humanity.  Those who genuinely seek the truth will hear His voice (vs. 37).  Pilate gave a skeptical and possibly sarcastic answer with “What is truth?” (vs. 38).  He then went back out to the Sanhedrin and told them he did not find any fault in Jesus.  That affirms Jesus’ sinlessness.  He is the perfect, spotless Lamb of God (I Peter 1:19).

Jesus could have responded to Pilate’s question with the words that He had spoken to His disciples the night before, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6).  Jesus is Truth.  Not just a part of a truth, but Truth itself.  All that He has said is truth, and thus the Word of God, the Bible, is truth.  It is truth whether it agrees with someone’s personal philosophy or not, whether it agrees with what they like or not.  It is truth yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and in every circumstance.  It is not subject to someone’s “personal reality”, as many like to say today.

Many people don’t want to admit that there is such a thing as objective or absolute truth - something that is true at all times and in every place.  They especially fight the idea of objective or absolute truth in moral issues.  In a world that questions whether truth, especially moral truth, exists, the issues are debatable with them.  However, with Jesus they are not.  Jesus shows us truth exists, and if we want to know what it is, we should look to Him.

As Christians, we are called to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel, just as Jesus did.  This involves sharing the message of salvation and living out Biblical principles.  We are also reminded in this passage that as believers, our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus’ heavenly kingdom, and are encouraged to live with an eternal mindset, prioritizing spiritual over worldly concerns.

In closing, as we remember, and as Pontius Pilate testified, Jesus was innocent of any sin, both then and all throughout His life.  His death was a sacrificial one for our sins, the innocent for the guilty.  Knowing this, we need to show Jesus our gratitude, and commit to following Him each and every day of our lives.

Some Names And Titles Of Jesus

Revelation 1:1-8

Most of us will hold several different titles throughout our life.  First, we are either a son or a daughter of two parents, and likewise a grandson or granddaughter.  Often we are also a brother or sister to one or more siblings.  Later we might become a husband or wife to another, and then perhaps a mother or a father to one or more little ones.  Then at whatever job we hold we have titles.  Some might be more prestigious, like senator, judge, or doctor.  Others might be less so.  Whatever the title, they help in describing who we are.  Our Scripture today speaks of several of the many titles that the Lord Jesus Christ has.  Let’s take a quick look at this passage.

The first title that we read in these opening verses of Revelation is that of “Christ” (vs. 1-2, 5).  This word comes from the Greek word “Christos”, which means “Anointed One”, the Hebrew word being “Mashiach”, from which we get the word “Messiah”.  Throughout the New Testament Jesus is frequently called Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him to be the long promised Messiah, the Savior of mankind.

The next title we read is that of “Faithful Witness” (vs. 5).  A witness is someone who tells others what he has seen or knows.  We frequently see witnesses giving their testimony in the courtroom.  One always hopes that their testimony will be truthful.  We can depend on the witness testimony of Jesus being truthful, as He is the Truth (John 14:6).  The witness of Jesus is one that reveals the character and ways of the Father, as he who has seen Jesus has seen the Father (John 14:9).

Next we see Jesus called the “Firstborn From the Dead” (vs. 5).  As we read in all four Gospels, Jesus took our sins upon Himself, and was crucified.  He died and was buried, and on the third day He rose again from the dead.  Because Jesus rose from the dead, we have the promise to all believers, those who have put their trust in Him, will also rise.  This proves that eternal life is possible for us, too, as Jesus taught us in John 11:25.

Jesus is also given the title of “Ruler Over the Kings of the Earth” (vs 5).  God is the One who raises men to power and removes them from power (John 19:10-11).  Politicians and other rulers may think that they are in their position through their own ingenuity and that of their political party, but it is God who placed them there, and He can and will remove them at His will.  As we read throughout the Book of Revelation, and also in many of the books of the prophets, and in Psalms, Jesus is ruler over all.  One day all creation, including every ruler who ever lived, will bow the knee to Him (Philippians 2:9-11).

We also read that another title of the Lord Jesus is that of the “Alpha and the Omega”, the “Beginning and the End” (vs. 8).  Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.  Greek was the language that the New Testament was written in, and a common language spoken and understood throughout the Roman Empire.  It would be like saying “A through Z” in the Latin or Roman Alphabet.  Jesus is everything, the whole dictionary, the whole encyclopedia, or today we could say He would be the whole Wikipedia.  He is the Creator of everything from A through Z, from the first to the last.

As we read through this passage, we see that as believers, we have the privilege of interceding for one another in prayer, just as our Lord does (vs. 6).  In this verse we read that God has made us kings and priests.  One thing that a priest does is to intercede to the Lord on behalf of the people.  He has called us believers to pray for our brothers and sisters in the Faith, along with others in general.

In closing, I want to look at one sentence in this passage that should brighten our spirits, and that is “Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (vs. 5).  Jesus loved us so much that He came to earth, shed His precious Blood to wash away our sins.  Both the penalty and the power of sin have been broken by His sacrifice.  If you ever wondered about His love for you, you do not need to doubt any longer.  As the children’s hymn says, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

Meeting God In The Morning

Psalm 5

What is the first thing you do in the morning after waking up?  Many people hop out of bed, take a quick shower, hurriedly get dressed, and rush off to work.  This routine is often the same with Christians, starting the day in a hurry, rushing through the hours, and unfortunately God is given the leftovers of the day.  This is a poor pattern that can quickly fall into a bad habit, and can leave one open to the attacks and temptations of our spiritual enemy, the devil and his minions.  David learned this, as we will see in our psalm for this last week before Advent.

Psalm 5 opens like many of David’s other psalms open, and that is with a prayer for the Lord to hear him when he cries out to Him for help (vs. 1-3).  David states very plainly in these early verses his promise to Yahweh that he will come to Him in prayer every morning.  Why is this important?  For a believer, this is especially important.  If you ask any Christian who has a good habit of praying in the morning, that their day goes much better than on a day when they miss that time in communion with the Lord.  Prayer in the morning equips us in our battle with the devil, which every believer will face to varying degrees each day.

Prayer in the morning also gives us the opportunity to bring our troubles, concerns, and worries to the Lord before we head out into our day, rather than carrying them around ourselves.  Instead of fretting over the concerns of the new day, we should allow God’s peace to flow into us.  Morning prayer sets the tone for the day that follows.  If the morning begins with worry, that will only increase as the day moves along.  But if we start the day with Jesus, we will more likely remain in His peace as the day continues.

As David continues in this prayer psalm, he reminds himself and the readers that Yahweh is a holy God (vs. 4-7).  Unlike some of the pagan gods, He does not take part in wickedness.  As a matter of fact, there is no evil in His presence at all.   God is opposed to all those who work iniquity, are liars, take life, and are dishonest and deceitful.  Likewise, David does not want to have anything to do with these people, just as no true believer would, either.  We are not perfect, though, and depend on God’s mercy and forgiveness when we fall (vs. 7).  However, such wickedness should never be a habit or lifestyle.

David knew that the unbelievers were watching his life, looking for him to slip, and so he prayed that God would lead him and make His ways plain for him to follow (vs. 8).  The unsaved world is carefully watching Christians, just waiting for us to fall into some sin.  That should be a special motive for walking carefully before God.  If we walk carelessly, the world will soon see it, and that will bring shame on Jesus.  Great damage will be done to the cause of Christ, and His Name maligned.  We should be sure we are not putting a stumbling block before people.  There are already enough of those.

As our psalm continues, we are reminded that Christians should be a joyful people (vs. 11).  One reason we can rejoice is that God defends us against our enemies.  He is covering us so that we can survive anything and everything if we just trust in God and hold steadfast to His Word.  He will cover us and bring us into a place in Him where the evil one can’t touch us.

Joy is not an emotion.  It is a supernatural expression given to us by the Holy Spirit indwelling us.  Happiness is a fleeting emotion that depends on circumstances.  Joy is a deep and abiding sense of contentment that provides a foundation for our lives in Jesus Christ.  David knew he could have joy in his life in spite of all the many trials and tribulations he went through.  We will never find joy by seeking self-centered excitement and pleasures.  True joy results when we give ourselves to God, knowing He holds our future in His hands.

In closing, David knew that the Lord would bless him and all believers, surrounding them with His favor (vs. 12).  God’s favor isn’t like a dream vacation.  Instead, it is life-saving protection.  In the middle of our life-long grind and certain death, He gives us a Lifesaver in the Lord Jesus Christ, who covers us with righteousness.  We can trust Him, knowing that He saves, and preserves us.

God Is In Control

Daniel 7:9-14

Who is in charge?  It is good to have that clearly known, whether it is in a company, a classroom, village board meeting, the military, or a country.  When some question who’s in authority, and they get loud and vocal, if they try to take the lead spot themselves, chaos can develop, especially if they are trouble-makers, and not good people.  Our Scripture for today is another vision of end times, a time when wicked people are challenging God’s authority, and try to be in charge in this world.   So who really is in charge, who ultimately has authority?  Our Scripture gives the answer.

Daniel was a young Jewish man who had lived in the Kingdom of Judah when the Babylonian empire overran and conquered his homeland, taking him and many others captive back to Babylon.  Because of his godly wisdom and integrity, Daniel quickly rose to advisory positions within the emperor’s court.  During this time the Lord God gave Daniel several visions of future events, some which would occur over the next several hundred years, and some which were visions of end times.

As our Scripture opens, Daniel described one particular vision he had.  He saw a vision of a throne, and upon the throne sat the Ancient of Days (vs. 9-10).  That was a term which was used several times in the Book of Daniel.  It is a name that is used for God, which emphasizes His eternal nature and sovereign authority.  Our Triune God - the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, has existed from all eternity past.

God is seated upon the throne.  He is in charge, and He has the authority.  His throne is not just an ordinary throne.  It is surrounded by fire, which would emphasize His power and authority.  Also surrounding the throne of the Ancient of Days are multitudes of attendants who minister to Him.  This is not a menial king of some back-woods petty kingdom, but the Ruler of the Universe.  He, alone, has the ultimate authority and the final judgment.

In the Book of Daniel he records some visions that he had of various empires that rule over parts or all of the world at various times in history.  He describes them as different types of beasts.  They correspond to the Babylonian empire, the Persian, the Greek, and the Roman empires, along with the final empire of the Antichrist in the future.  These may have, or will be, powerful empires, and their leaders fearsome.  However, they are nothing to the Lord Jesus.  He will defeat all earthy kingdoms that oppose God (vs. 11-12).  We see so much in this world today that opposes God and the truths found in His Word, the Bible.  He will put an end to all of that!

The word “horn” in verse 11 is symbolic of the blasphemous ruler, often associated with the Antichrist.  Though this person will come against God and His truth, and speak arrogant and pompous words against the Lord Jesus, he will be brought down.  We see that the Antichrist will be destroyed and thrown into a burning flame.  This is also verified in Revelation 19:20 and Revelation 20:10.  We can be reassured of God’s ultimate victory over evil.

As Daniel’s vision continues, he sees the “Son of Man” being presented to the Ancient of Days (vs. 13-14).  The term “Son of Man” is a Messianic title.  Frequently in the Gospels Jesus used that to refer to Himself.  When Jesus returns at His second coming, He will come in the clouds (Acts 1:9-11).   He is presented to the Ancient of Days, God the Father, and then given everlasting dominion, glory, and a kingdom which will never be destroyed.  Jesus’ kingdom will be universal and everlasting.

In closing, as we see more and more wicked and evil people taking charge in organizations, companies, and in nations around the world, and as we know that at some time in the future, the Antichrist and his minions will arise, taking over rule over a large part of the world, we don’t need to fear or panic.  We know beyond all doubt that Jesus does have the ultimate authority, and we can be certain of His righteous judgment.  He will return, and at that time set up his eternal kingdom.  Daniel’s vision provides us hope and assurance, so let us remain faithful and steadfast in our faith.

A Warning Ahead Of Time

Mark 13:14-23

Many people like to know what is coming in the days ahead.  We like to know the weather forecast several days in advance, along with knowing what’s going on around town in advance.  Sometimes when we don’t know what to expect in advance we can get worried.  Because people like to know what will happen in the future, there is a proliferation of fortune tellers, astrologers, and other prognosticators in many cities.  In our Scripture today the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gives us a glimpse of some of the things that will truly happen in the last days before His triumphant return.  Let’s take a quick look at some of the things that Jesus said would happen in those days.

As our passage opens, Jesus spoke about the “abomination of desolation” which the prophet Daniel had spoken about (Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11).  Daniel’s prophecy of this abomination has two fulfillments.  The first was through the Greek emperor Antiochus IV.  The Greek empire, founded by Alexander the Great, ruled over much of the Balkan peninsula, parts of North Africa, and most of western Asia, including Israel.  Antiochus IV, who ruled the empire from 175 - 164 BC, had a particular hatred for the Jewish people and religion.  In 167 BC he defiled the rebuilt Second Temple in Jerusalem, setting upon the altar statues of Zeus, and sacrificing a pig upon the altar.  He also forced the priests to eat swine flesh.  This was the abomination of desolation Daniel foretold.  Jesus predicted that this will happen again (vs. 14).  Someone similar to Antiochus IV, who also has a particularly vehement hatred for God’s people, will commit a similar abomination, some type of vile sacrilege.  Many believe that the Temple will be rebuilt again in Jerusalem, and that in the last days the Antichrist will similarly defile that Temple.

Jesus describes the days that will follow as being particularly severe for believers, for God’s people (vs. 15-18).   The Antichrist and his followers will persecute Christians so severely that they will need to flee for their lives, sometimes so quickly that they won’t be able to take all of their belongings with them.  Jesus warns them that they won’t even be able to return to their homes for extra clothes.  It will also be particularly difficult for pregnant women, and if it is wintertime.

This time, the Lord Jesus stated, is a time of such great tribulation, that it will be the worst in human history (vs. 19-20).  We might think that the days of World War II were especially bad.  Some here have either fought in or lived through other wars, and they were bad.  However, Jesus said that this time, coming shortly before His return at His Second Coming, will be the worst in human history.  God has mercy, though, and for the sake of His children He will shorten those days.

Jesus then warned us to not be fooled and deceived by people posing as false messiahs and prophets (vs. 21-23).  There have always been people who have posed as great religious leaders, but their message is false.  Unsuspecting people, particularly those who are Biblically illiterate, who don’t know their Scriptures, will fall for these false prophets messages.  Jesus warns us to not be deceived.  We need to be vigilant and discerning who is teaching good and solid Biblical doctrine and who is teaching heresy and other false messages in order to avoid deception.  The way to do that is by getting into God’s Word and studying it, and through prayer, relying on the Holy Spirit.

Those who are alive at that time should not be taken by surprise when these events happen.  Jesus has told us about them beforehand (vs. 23).  He has warned us to be prepared, to understand the signs and stay faithful.  He has warned us to stay vigilant and discerning with the Antichrist and false teachers.  We can trust in God’s sovereignty.  As Christians, we can trust that He is in control, and that He has promised to shorten these days for the sake of His Blood-bought children.