Revelation 1-3 A Peek into Heaven

TMS 1 John 3:18 True Love Loves Truly

1 John 3:18 “My little children,

let us not love in word or in tongue,

but in deed and in truth.”

Observations: 3:18 It's easy to say “I love you” but following through on those words is a lot more difficult. Many say they love Jesus, but how many are actually loyal to Him, and exclusively His? Our love toward others must not be lip service to the concept, but demonstrated in our deeds as well. When was the last time you sacrificed something you wanted to do in order to serve someone else spiritually or materially? When did you last step out of your comfort zone and risk rejection and ridicule to reprove or rebuke a sinning believer? How about sharing your faith or witnessing to your Lord Jesus so they wouldn't spend an eternity separated from Him?

Application: True love loves truly (according to the truth), whether convenient, comfortable, or welcome.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for loving me, and modeling the love You desire me to have towards others; please help me draw on Your strength and grace to love as You've loved me. Amen.

Revelation 1-3 John gets a trip outside of time to see God's purposes for the earth and believers. He writes of what he saw and heard, and what will be, to encourage believers to be loyal to Christ. This post focuses on the message Jesus revealed to John to give to seven churches in Asia. The accompanying charts under Digging Deeper provide some interesting ways of interpreting the communication to the literal churches.

Revelation 1 A Peek into Heaven

1:1 This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servants the things which must happen soon, which He sent and made known by His angel to His servant, John, 2 who testified to God’s word, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.

4 John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by His blood; 6 and He made us to be a Kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so, Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

9 I John, your brother and partner with you in oppression, the Kingdom, and steadfastness in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet... 11 saying, "What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." 12 I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. 13 And among the lampstands was One like a Son of Man, clothed with a robe reaching down to His feet, and with a golden sash around His chest. 14 His head and His hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters. 16 He had seven stars in His right hand. Out of His mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.

17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me, saying, "Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, 18 and the Living One. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. 19 Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter; 20 the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lampstands are seven assemblies.

Observations: 1:1-3 John introduces the book with a statement of its contents and origin. It is revelation of what must take place (because it is God's plan) concerning Jesus Christ. John sees these things happening. Envision the events of time as occurring linearly on a table, from one end to the other. God is outside of time, seeing the end from the beginning, and everything in between, all at once. As an infinite, transcendent being, He is outside of time. Most questions about what God knows and does are raised by time-bound humans who can't see (or think) beyond their own finite perspective. John gets to view aspects of our reality from God's perspective, as they unfold sequentially from the human perspective. At the end of the book he sees the heavenly Jerusalem descending on a new earth. Obviously this is yet future from our time-bound perspective, but is already a reality from God's point of view.

Blessing is promised to the ones who read or hear, and keep or hold on to the words of this book. That means there will be things to do or obey, which if followed will result in blessing, and which, if ignored, will result in lack of blessing. The certainty of the return of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, to reward His faithful servants, and set up the rule of His Millennial Kingdom, should serve as motivation to be faithful until He returns. The Judgment is certain, John has already seen it.

1:4-8 John writes the seven assemblies/churches in Asia, wishing them the covenantal blessings of grace and peace from God, who is described in past, present, and future aspects, and from the seven Spirits before His throne, and from Jesus the Messiah, who is, among other things: the faithful witness (to God's will/revelation), the firstborn from the dead (which means there are more to come), and the ruler of the kings of the earth (these three descriptions might match the time designations of the Father). John ascribes glory to Jesus, who loves the readers, and washed them from their sins by His own blood, so that they could be priests to God. Jesus is coming with clouds (as promised in Matthew 24:30; 26:64) and every eye will see Him (which obviously hasn't happened yet, nor has the mourning). He is the Alpha and Omega (beginning of the alphabet and the end, encompassing all that is in between). He was, is, and is to come, matching the description of the Father (1:4), and sharing the title of the Almighty. Trinitarianism anyone?

1:9-16 John describes himself as a fellow-sharer/partaker with his readers in the affliction (he was exiled to Patmos), Kingdom (used 7 times in the book), and steadfast endurance (used 7 times in the book). His exile was due to his adherence to God's word and proclaiming the testimony/witness about Jesus the Messiah. He was the only apostle to not be martyred. He was “in the Spirit” probably as in praying in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and heard a voice telling him to write what he sees and send it to the churches noted. They are in Asia, listed in a clockwise order (see map). When John looked, he saw seven golden lampstands, which stood for the seven churches (1:20). In the midst of the lampstands was One like the Son of Man in His glory. The seven stars in His hand are messengers or angels (same word since angels frequently delivered messages) of the churches. Considering this is a scene in heaven, the likely interpretation is that these are angelic beings, like guardian angels for the churches. Although because of the symbolism, of the lampstands being churches (that give God's light to those around them as Israel was supposed to do in the OT as symbolized by the lampstand in the Tabernacle and Temple), the stars might be emblematic or a symbolic “personification” of the message. They will show up again in the next two chapters.

Out of the mouth of Jesus proceeded a two-edged sword (the judging word of God - Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 2:12).

1:17-20 John does what any of us would do when confronted with the glory of God, and Jesus touched him (to revive and strengthen him), and elaborates on His identity and John's task. Jesus affirms that He is the Beginning and End (for whom all exists - Colossians 1:16), who was alive, dead, and alive again, permanently. He has the keys (power over) to Death and Hades (and all contained therein). He gives John the outline for what he is to write:

• what he has seen (this chapter);
• what is (the letters to the seven churches in the next two chapters);
• what will be (in the future).

Jesus then provides the interpretation of the stars and lampstands as noted above.

Application: Jesus is in His glory, but has yet to come back to set up His kingdom and rule, but He will. In the meantime, He has expectations for those who believe in Him, that they would persevere and serve God as priests, offering Him what is pleasing in His sight.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Exalted One, who died to cleanse me from my sin, and enable me to serve You; may I be faithful to accomplish the tasks for which You have me on earth. Amen.

Revelation 2-3 Each of the letters follows a pattern of evaluation, and commendation or condemnation of the church and those in it. Jesus says (through the Spirit) that He knows the works of the believers, and evaluates them. He knows the conditions under which they live, and takes everything into account. Those sinning are urged to repent and a promise of blessing is held out to those who become overcomers. A promise of judgment is held out to those who don't repent. This judgment of believers is for rewards or punishment. It is not about faith in Jesus' death for them (the justification aspect of salvation), but their sanctification and glorification. Jesus issued His calls to discipleship to those who had ears to hear, meaning those who were willing to listen. Each message ends with the same call. See the Chart here, and under Digging Deeper.

When a king in the Ancient Near East would return from conquering new territories, he could reward his faithful servants with rulership (power), priesthood (pleasure - the best food, music, and architecture), and riches, land, or possessions. These are similar to the basic motivations of power, pleasure and possessions, with which we are created and by which we are tempted (compare the temptation of Eve with that of Christ - see comments on 1 John 2:16). When our Lord returns and sets up His Kingdom, He will reward faithful saints in a similar manner.

Revelation 2 Overcome for Glory and Blessing

2:1 To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: "He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, He who walks among the seven golden lampstands says these things": 2 "I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false. 3 You have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will remove your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God."

8 To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: "The First and the Last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things": 9 "I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death."

12 To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: "He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things": 13 "I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to My name, and didn’t deny My faith in the days of Antipas My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise. 16 Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it."

18 To the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write: "The Son of God, who has His eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished brass, says these things": 19 "I know your works, your love, faith, service, patient endurance, and that your last works are more than the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces My servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction, unless they repent of her works. 23 I will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. 24 But to you I say, to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as don’t have this teaching, who don’t know what some call ‘the deep things of Satan,’ to you I say, I am not putting any other burden on you. 25 Nevertheless, hold that which you have firmly until I come. 26 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations. 27 He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of My Father: 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."

Observations: 2:1-7 The church at Ephesus had a lot going for it. It was the best taught church in the New Testament (see introduction to Ephesians). Both Paul and John ministered there. As a result they knew the truth, and repulsed the onslaught of false teachers seeking to undermine it. They persevered and endured persecution for the name/glory of the Lord, and didn't give up. Yet there was a fault Christ found in them, which would result in loss of their light/glory if they didn't repent and overcome it. The condemnation was that they left or abandoned their first or priority love. Too many preachers/pastors who have been busy doing “ministry” at the expense of abiding in the Vine, have erroneously taught that this passage means the Ephesians had stopped loving Jesus. This is classic projectionism (thinking everyone has your problem). In Ephesians 1 Paul writes that the believers are to be blameless in their love for each other, and then throughout the book (at least eight times) exhorts them to love each other (not the Lord; cf John 13:34-35). If the believers at Ephesus did not repent and love each other as Jesus wanted, they would lose their witness/light. Notice that the corrective is to repent and do works, not believe, to gain forgiveness, so the issue is not justification by faith, but rather sanctification (as is the case in most NT admonitions).

An additional commendation (sandwich rebuke) is given for their hatred of the works of the Nicolaitans. No one knows with certainty who these are or what were their deeds (they show up again in 2:15 as distinct from, not similar to, the doctrine of Balaam), but the etymology or derivation of the word yields two options. Nikao means “victory” or “to conquer” and laos means “people” or “laity.” So it could mean “victory of the people” or “conquer the people or laity.” The former would refer to some anti-authoritarian anti-nominalism (anti-law), which would result in recognizing no Biblical authority or restraints on a believer's behavior. The latter would result in just the opposite, the imposition of a leadership hierarchy on the people as would surface as a distinction between the laity and “clergy,” with abuses of authority. Both were real problems then, and today, as people have trouble submitting to others, and power corrupts. Either flaw should be avoided, but neither might be the issue Christ addressed. A third option is that they were followers of Nicolas, a deacon in Acts 6:5, of whom nothing else is known. Those who overcame or were victorious (same word as “niko”) over the flaw of failing to love their brothers and sisters in Christ, and became blameless in love (Ephesians 1:4 KJV/NKJV) would be rewarded with the right to eat/partake of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God. Christ's desire is that believers be victorious overcomers, and only those are rewarded. Eating of the tree of life cannot be equivalent to getting one's sins forgiven, since it is a reward based upon works. The tree first appeared in Genesis 1:26, sin deprived man from eating of it (Genesis 3:22) so they would not eat of it and live (in a glorified state) forever; and only glorified saints will have access to it again in Revelation 22:14, to use the leaves for the healing of the nations over which they rule. The understanding of “live” in Genesis 3:22 and “life” is not mere continuous existence (for that is the destiny of all human and angelic life forms) but that of having glory and exercising dominion (as discussed in comments on Genesis 3 and Deuteronomy 30:19 “choose life that you may live”). To equate “life” with forgiveness of sins, or to say that all believers are “overcomers” is to twist, torture, maim, and kill the context of the passages where the words are found (as well as doing similar harm to justification by faith).

2:8-11 Smyrna was about 40 miles north of Ephesus, the seat of Roman Emperor worship in Asia. Christ knows their works, affliction and poverty (although in His eyes they are rich). They apparently had much opposition from the Jews who really belong to the synagogue of Satan. Jesus has no words of reproof for them, but instead warns them not to be afraid of the persecution which they'll suffer. Satan will use his agents to throw them in prison, and afflict them, even to martyrdom. “Ten days” is probably a symbol for completeness, which would result in death. Those who remain faithful and not deny their loyalty to Christ will receive the crown of life. Crown is a reward (1 Corinthians 9:25; Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Timothy 4:8); life is dominion. They would rule in Christ's kingdom. Those who overcome and are victorious through the trials would not be harmed by the second death (see comments on Revelation 20). The second death is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). The portion (inheritance) of the unfaithful is burned up in the lake of fire (see Revelation 21:8). Interpreting this any other traditional way necessitates being victorious and overcoming all sin in order to have one's sins forgiven, an impossible position to defend Biblically. Equally impossible is the common but erroneous view that only those who are victorious are those who are born again, which negates faith and grace. These are passages about rewards or inheritance for the holy and victorious. The lack of harm from the second death counterbalances the physical death the martyrs would experience.

James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love Him."

Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he that has his portion in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

2:12-17 Pergamum, about fifty five miles from Smyrna was where Satan kept his summer palace, and had more pagan temples than Jesus had disciples. Being a believer there must have been difficult not just because of the persecution, but because of the pervasive pressure to compromise. Christ commends their works and loyalty to the faith and His name, even when Antipas was martyred (we know nothing else about him). However, Jesus did have a few things against them. They had some who held to the teaching of Balaam, who when unable to curse the Israelites, taught Balak to derail God's people by enticing them into sensual pagan worship (see Genesis 22 for the difference between Yahweh and pagan worship). Participation in pagan idol worship usually involved feasting and sex, as one acted out the request for fertility. Many temples have excavated large numbers of chambers designed to house temple prostitutes of both sexes. In addition, there were some who held to the teaching of the Nicolaitans (see comments above, and in this context the meaning of “no restraints” would be a close fit). Jesus warns that if they don't repent, He will judge them with the “sword of His mouth” which was the word that said the immoral wouldn't have an inheritance in the kingdom (see comments on 1Cor 6:9-10; Eph 5:5, etc.). Instead of food offered to idols (the eating of which would give the strength of the God), the Messiah would give the hidden/secret manna (the miracle food which sustained Israel in the wilderness), and a white stone with a secret name on it. There are lots of conjectures about the meaning of the stone, many revolving around a white stone used for acquittal in a vote, but that view doesn't take into account the “name having been written on it" (perfect tense). An interpretation which comes close to fitting the context is the use of a stone with a special mark used to admit the possessor to an entertainment event like a play or concert. The counterpoint to pleasure of pagan sex would be the pleasure of entrance into the courts of the God in whose presence is fullness of joy (cx the unfaithful priests in Ezek 44, a key chapter to know in order to understand Revelation, see comments there).

2:18-29 Thyatira was forty miles south-east of Pergamum, and a center of commerce. Christ knows their works: their love, faith, service, and endurance. They had grown in usefulness to their Master, and were doing more as they matured than at the beginning (a great pattern that isn't always true today). Unfortunately, Jesus finds fault with their toleration (Gasp! Isn't open-mindedness a virtue? Not when sin is involved). It isn't enough to be busy serving the Lord and others, Christ demands purity of His Bride, the church. The assembly was allowing a woman, Jezebel, a false prophetess, probably energized by Satan to gain a following, to lead others astray. She taught and seduced Christ's servants to participate in sensual pagan worship just like at Pergamum above. God graciously gave time for repentance but because of her refusal, will afflict her and those who join with her with disease or sickness (cf 1Cor 11:30-31). When those who are the fruit of her evil are smitten and die, then all the churches will fear, and know that the Lord Jesus evaluates their minds and hearts and will give to each believer according to their deeds (cf 2Cor 5:10 comments). Those who haven't indulged in the “deep things of Satan” (probably the false esoteric knowledge the prophetess promoted as a means to power and success in life) have no other burden except to hold fast to the position they had achieved by their good works listed above, until Jesus returns to set up His kingdom. Those who remain victorious and keep doing Christ's works until the end will be given authority over the nations, to rule as the Messiah does (Ps 2). They will also get the morning star, a reference to partaking in the glory of the Messiah (Malachi 4:2; 2Pt 1:19; Rev 22:16).

Application: Those who desire the blessing and glory that comes from being faithful to Christ, must overcome the challenges and temptations of sin, to live victoriously now, and in the future.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, search my heart and thoughts, and expose my sin, so I can repent of it now, and not miss out on the eternal delights of Your blessings in the future. Thanks. Amen.

Revelation 3 Losers and Winners

3:1 "And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: "He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things: "I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won’t pay attention, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you. 4 Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

7 To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things: 8 I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name. 9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie. Behold, I will make them to come and bow before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

14 To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God’s creation, says these things: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing’; and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me. 21 He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."

Observations: 3:1-6 Drawing on another aspect of the portrait in chapter 1, Christ instructs John to write to the angel or messenger of the church at Sardis, thirty miles south-east of Thyatira, and about a hundred miles inland from Ephesus. Sardis had a reputation for rich and luxuriant living (home of Croesus, the proverbial uber rich man). Christ knows their works and they stink. They have a reputation for being alive, but are in fact dead (like many “big name” churches today resting on their former glories). Jesus tells them to wake up out of their stupor (cf Eph 5:14) and strengthen whatever vestiges they have of the faith, because He has found no works perfected or brought to completion. They need revival, being brought back to life, by remembering the truth they had heard and discarded rather than applied. There are no words of commendation (even Jesus who knows all, couldn't find anything positive to say about the church). They need to go back to the word of God and obey it, changing their thinking about life and their deeds (repentance). If they don't pay attention He will come like a thief, and they will suffer loss. There were a few at Sardis, who did not defile themselves as the rest of the church did (and were probably the fodder for much gossip). The holy ones will walk with Christ in His future Kingdom clothed in white (cf Rev 19:8), for they are worthy. Unsanctified believers are not worthy of blessing and reward. However, those who listen, repent, obey and overcome, will be also arrayed in white, and will not have their name blotted out of the book of life, but Jesus will acknowledge them before the Father when the glory is distributed. The Book of Life was a register of all those citizens who could vote or participate in the rulership of a city-state (see how life is used for ruling or glory). The names of all believers are entered in the Book of Life (Rev 20:15) but those whose names are crossed out lose the right to rule. This is the fate toward which the spiritual sluggards of Sardis were headed, unless they repented and became victorious in overcoming defiling sin.

3:7-13 Philadelphia was about 27 miles south-east of Sardis and receives commendation from Christ, who is holy and true, and holds the key of David (see Isaiah 22:22 and the Davidic Covenant 2Sam 7), the right to rule on the David throne in the Messianic Kingdom. He has set before them an open door (entrance to possession in the Kingdom) which no one could shut (prevent them from entering as the Jews sought to do). Even though the believers had little strength or power, they had kept Christ's word, and didn't deny His name (weren't unfaithful), despite the persecution of the Jews who really belonged to the synagogue of Satan. Christ will make them bow before the faithful believers (which might imply the bad guys are around in the future). Jesus has loved the faithful because they were loyal to Him, keeping His command to endure. Therefore, He will keep them from (ek = “out of” or “away from”) the hour of testing/trial that will come upon all those that dwell on the earth. This means that some believers will escape this universal trial. Some see in this a reference to the Rapture, which does explain the words, but raises a difficulty summarized in the question “why just these believers?” An answer can seen in the chart under Digging Deeper, where each church is thought to represent an type of church, or successive church periods (one problem with this last view is that it could make the last church exist when all believers had been removed from the earth, which isn't an insurmountable problem). Anyway, the certain application for the initial readers is for them to hold fast to what they have so they don't lose their crown/reward, a distinct possibility, otherwise they wouldn't be warned against it. The one who is victorious and overcomes the difficulties of being faithful to Christ will become a pillar (permanent fixture) in the house of God (see the faithful and blessed priests in Ezek 44). Christ will write on the faithful the name of God, just like the High Priest had Yahweh's name on him (Ex 28:36-38). There is no condemnation of this church which was totally pleasing in Christ's sight.

3:14-22 Laodicea, forty miles south-east of Philadelphia and forty miles east of Ephesus, is the lukewarm church. They think they have no needs because their wealth insulates them from dependence upon God. Christ know their works, and they are totally lacking. They think they're rich, but are wretched and poor. He counsels them to pay the cost to buy from Christ, by their effort and obedience, what will remedy their situation. They don't perceive accurately, and are naked (no glory suits for these bad believers - 2 Corinthians 5). Yet Christ still loves them, even though he reproves and disciplines them. He exhorts them to be zealous and repent of their self-sufficiency and sin, and enter into fellowship with Him. Verse 20 is an invitation for intimacy, based upon them heeding His voice and opening their lives to Him. Then He will dine with them (a metaphor for not just fellowship but empowerment). Those who respond and are victorious, he will grant to sit on His throne (rule with Him), just as His right to rule was a function of overcoming the obstacles to do the Father's will, and as a result He sits/rules with the Father. Those who have ears to hear and obey should do so. It's eternally worth it.

Application: Our participation in the blessings of Christ are dependence upon our dependent obedience, otherwise we lose.

Prayer: Jesus, thanks for coming into my life and having a relationship with me; may I be zealous to maintain it, and enjoy Your company now and forevermore. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God shares His glory with Jesus so He can share it with us.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus evaluates the works of all believers and rewards them accordingly or disciplines those who are unfaithful.

Us in a nutshell: Believers must overcome the trials of persecution and temptations of their flesh, so they live in victory, and will share in Christ's victory in the future. Losers will continue to lose.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Galatians 1-3 Justification By Faith

Galatians 1-3 Justification By Faith

Psalm 143:1-12 Thirsting For God and Trusting Him

Ps 143:1 Of David “Hear my prayer, Yahweh. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me. 2 Don’t enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous. 3 For the enemy pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead. 4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate. 5 I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your doings. I contemplate the work of your hands. 6 I spread forth my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. Selah.

• 7 Hurry to answer me, Yahweh. My spirit fails.
• Don’t hide your face from me, so that I don’t become like those who go down into the pit.
• 8 Cause me to hear your hesed/loyal covenantal love in the morning, for I trust in you.
• Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
• 9 Deliver me, Yahweh, from my enemies, I flee to you to hide me.
• 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.
• Your Spirit is good, lead me in the land of uprightness.

11 Revive me, Yahweh, for your name’s sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble. 12 In your hesed/loyal covenantal love, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant."

Observations: 143:1-6 Persecuted by his enemies and overwhelmed, David calls to God for much-needed help. Rather than remaining in the darkness, he recalls God's faithfulness, righteousness, past deliverances, and presses his plea to God. He bases his plea on the righteousness of God, knowing that no one is perfect in his sight. Every fiber of his being thirsts for God, his only hope.

143:7-12 The last half of the psalm contains a number of requests and the reason for them. The last half of verse 10 flips the order for emphasis. Our dependency upon God should be so great that if He is not actively involved in our lives, sustaining and guiding, we will perish. There might be dry days but no prolonged parched periods in the life of someone who walks in the shadow of God, for in His presence (available to anyone, anywhere, anytime) is fullness of joy. David asks God for guidance and direction, which He is pleased to give so we can do His will. God's servants can trust Him because not only is He infinitely good, He is infinitely loyal to His promises to protect those who trust in Him.

Application: If we're seeking and following God throughout every day, it will be difficult to be far from Him when trouble comes (as it inevitably will).

Prayer: God, please guide my steps in doing Your will, so I can have complete confidence in Your protection and presence. Thanks. Amen.

TMS Romans 3:23 All Have Sinned

Rom 3:23 “(22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;)

23 for all have sinned

and fall short of the glory of God,

24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.“

Observations: 3:23 This is the major passage in the Scriptures on justification by faith, declaring our need for it (forgiveness). All people have “missed the mark” (that's what sin means) of the righteousness God requires. Some might be better or worse than others, but all miss out on the glory God wants to give them. He's the one who sets the rules/standards, and we are all too short to go on the ride. Fortunately God also provides a solution to the problem. See the comments on Romans 3 for an exposition of the verse in context. “Crowbar” questions: “What makes you think you've hit the standard God requires? How do you know what the standard is? Where does Jesus fit into the picture? Why did He have to die?”

Application: Confession is to “say the same thing” that God does; acknowledgment of sin opens the door for the solution, and the ride to glory.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I confess that I have sinned against You in not seeking nor doing Your will, and thus am not worthy to receive Your glory; thanks for sending the Lord Jesus to die for my sin, so that I can become worthy. Amen.

Galatians 1-3 Paul writes to the believers in the churches he planted on his journey to Galatia to call them back to the gospel he had preached to them, which they had believed, and which resulted in them being indwelt by the Spirit of God. Jewish believers who cared more for tradition than truth had perverted the good news of justification by faith, by seeking to impose the Jewish ceremonial and religious law, especially circumcision, on Gentile believers as the means of gaining the promises contained in the good news. Paul combats this error by showing that the message they believed was from God, and the others were teaching the mere words of men. Some of the difficulties in understanding Paul's argument lie in not knowing what he means by law and justification. The law in this epistle is not the moral law (which as recipients of the Holy Spirit is written in our hearts), but rather those aspects that separated the Jews from the Gentiles as the peculiar people of God. The justification in chapter 2 is most likely not forgiveness (since they already had that) but a declaration of the righteousness they needed for blessing (inheritance and reward) in the future Age of the Messiah (kingdom). This is just like the OT requirement to do what is right in God's sight (righteousness) to receive the promised blessings. The just, (as in justified/forgiven), shall live (as in receive the blessings of the Messianic kingdom) by faith (as in continuing to believe that God will do what He said He'll do -Heb 11:6). The righteousness God requires extends beyond forgiveness, as the rest of the epistle demonstrates. One can't read their preconceptions into chapter two and then ignore all the evidence in the rest of the epistle, and be right.

Galatians 1 No Other Gospel

1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), 2 and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father— 5 to whom be the glory to the Ages of the ages. Amen.

6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different "good news"; 7 and there isn’t another "good news." Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ. 8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any "good news" other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. 9 As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any "good news" other than that which you received, let him be cursed.

10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ. 11 But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. 12 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it. 14 I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called/summoned me through his grace, 16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying. 21 Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ, 23 but they only heard: "He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy." 24 And they glorified God in me.

Observations: 1:1-5 Paul opens with the assertion that he is an apostle (sent one) from Jesus the Messiah. He writes to the assemblies of believers in the resurrected Christ, which he planted in Galatia on his first missionary journey. As in Romans and 1Corinthians, he wishes them the covenantal blessings of grace and peace and writes the book so they can get blessed. The “bookend” of 6:16 tells them how to get them (“walk/live according to this rule/standard”). The Lord Jesus, the Messiah gave himself for our sins (justification -see Romans 3 comments) so that (purpose) believers might be delivered out of (ek) this present age (here aion is used for a definite period of time), according to the will of God. The will of God is not just that our sins be forgiven, but that we experience a deliverance, through sanctification, into the glory of the Age to come (glorification).

1:6-14 Paul marvels that those who believed the good news/gospel he preached to them (see comments on 1Cor 15 for what that was) were so quick to bite the bait Satan dangled in front of them. Even if an angel (which Satan can disguise himself as -2Cor 11:14) told them anything different than Paul did, they shouldn't believe it, and the false teacher should be accursed. To understand what he means, you have to skip ahead to understand the context of the letter: those Jews who had believed, were trying to make the Gentiles become Jews to be recipient of God's blessings. (See comments on the Jerusalem Council -Acts 15). This teaching is not from God, but men. By seeking to please men and submit to the Jewish traditions and “law” they would not be pleasing to God. This is why Paul emphasizes the choice the Galatians face: please unauthenticated men by following their teaching, or please God by following His authenticated teachers (the apostles) and His message. Paul recounts his conversation with Jesus, and his resultant conversion, and commission to show his message is the real deal.

Acts 26:15 So I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' (See comments there).

1:15-24 After his encounter with Jesus Paul didn't immediately go to Jerusalem, but eventually did, meeting briefly with Peter and James (the Lord's brother, now an apostle -see comments on Acts 12:2 and 15:13). He did not get his message from the other apostles, nor did he have contact with the churches in Judea, so his message was based upon revelation from God alone (the only way a finite being can know infinite truth).

Application: Our beliefs need to be based squarely and solidly upon the revealed word of God, not what men say about it, otherwise we'll be following fables and traditions that are powerless to deliver us out of this present evil age into the glories of the Ages to come.

Prayer: God, I praise You for being both the Creator and Communicator of life; thanks that You have power to not only create, but communicate in such a way that I can understand what you desire of me, and what I can expect of You; please guide me in understanding and applying Your revelation to my life. Amen.

Galatians 2 Justification Isn't Always Forgiveness

2:1 Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. 2 I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3 But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; 5 to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you. 6 But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn’t show partiality to man)—they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me, 7 but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcision 8 (for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles); 9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor—which very thing I was also zealous to do.

11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they didn’t walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?"

15 "We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners,"

16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed into/(eis) Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. 17 But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker. 19 For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. 21 "I don’t make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!"

Observations: 2:1-10 Fourteen years later Paul again went to Jerusalem and met with the chief apostles who agreed with his message to the Gentiles. No circumcision was required (Titus heaved a sigh of relief). False (pseudo) brothers had entered into the assemblies, to advance the cause of Judaism, not Christ. These folks are referred to as Judaizers, who taught that one had to become a Jew to be blessed, even though one believed in Christ. The apostles at Jerusalem saw that Christ had appointed Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles, as he had Peter to be the apostle to the Jews. The request the apostles had of Paul was for him to remember the financial needs of the poor saints in Jerusalem, which he was eager to do.

2:11-14 When Peter was at Antioch, he ate with the Gentiles, which was considered a violation of the law by the Jews. So when the Jewish believers came from Jerusalem, Peter withdrew from the Gentiles (even though God had given him direct revelation that eating with Gentiles was OK; see comments on Acts 10:28 when God showed him that). Peter's hypocrisy, for fear of the Jews, was leading others astray, so Paul opposed him to his face in front of all. Peter was clearly wrong for trying to compel the Gentiles to live as Jews.

2:15-20 Paul argued that even Jews are not justified by works or deeds of the Jewish law, but by faith in Jesus. One has to ask why Paul is arguing justification with people who already have their sins forgiven. The answer is that he is viewing not the forensic righteousness ala Romans 3:23-26 (above in the TMS section), but rather the righteousness (doing what is right in His sight that God required for blessing in the OT, and still requires for blessing in this life and in the Ages to come). The law can't declare one righteous, since it points out sin. If someone who has believed in Christ doesn't follow all the law (like doesn't keep his distance but actually eats with defiling Gentiles) does that mean that Christ causes sin? Obviously the indwelling Christ can't be a source of sin, so the only reasonable thing to conclude is that the law is no longer valid. The law to which Paul refers must be inferred from context, and the context of the chapter. The rest of the letter will point to the ceremonial or religious law, rather than the moral law (which the audience, as recipients of the Holy Spirit, and participants in the blessing of the New Covenant, would already have written on their hearts). "Rebuilding" the law by seeking to live according to it (in the ceremonial sense, since the moral law was now written in his heart) would make himself a law-breaker. Paul has died to the law so that he may live for Christ.
2:20 He himself is crucified with Christ (in his union with Christ) and thus no longer lives as the law-keeping/breaking Paul (see TMS Galatians 2:20).  He now lives by faith in the son of God, (with the resultant indwelling life-giving Spirit). Paul is using justification here in a different sense than most realize. Justification usually refers to being declared righteous in reference to the penalty of sin, also known as the forgiveness aspect of salvation (see introduction to Matthew for the different aspects of salvation). Here, Paul is looking beyond forgiveness to the righteousness God requires for reward in the Kingdom. To receive this declaration the just person needs to live by faith. Living by faith is more than a one time belief in the substitutionary atonement, but an ongoing trust in the promises of God (see Faith Actuates God's Promises on Truthbase.net if you've never studied what the Scripture says faith is). To live is not just a deliverance from the lake of fire, but to exercise dominion/glory in the realm of God's promises (Dt 30:19). This is the only understanding that is consistent with all the facts. It's not about past forgiveness, nor present position, but future righteousness (knowing and doing what is right in God's sight).

2:21 If one can be rightly related to God, forgiven, reconciled, and restored by doing deeds of the law, then Christ didn't have to die. A major “crowbar” question to ask in helping folks understand Christianity is: “Why did Jesus have to die?”

Application: Since Paul will continue the law argumentation in the next chapter, let's pick our application from earlier in the chapter. How about hypocrisy? Caring more about what people think than about what God thinks causes us to be censured by God; so make your motto: “what you see is what I am.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I live in freedom, as someone who is dead to the unrighteous expectations and demands of others, seeking to be pleasing in Your sight above all. Amen.

Galatians 3 Perfected by the Spirit

3:1 Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as crucified? 2 I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by/from(ek) the works of the law, or by/from(ek) hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed/perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain? 5 He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?

6 Even as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." 7 Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are children of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you all the nations will be blessed." 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them." 11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, "The righteous will live by faith." 12 The law is not of faith, but, "The man who does them will live by them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree," 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn’t say, "To seeds," as of many, but as of one, "To your seed," which is Christ. 17 Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.

19 What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law. 22 But the Scriptures enclosed all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept guarded under the law, enclosed with a view toward (eis) the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 So that the law has become our guardian with a view toward (eis) Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to promise.

Observations: 3:1-5 Jesus was openly declared to be the crucified Savior of Isaiah 53, and the Galatians believed it. They received the Spirit as a result of faith in what they heard. God worked miracles to authenticate Paul's message, and their reception of it. They were even persecuted for their faith. So the issue is not the forgiveness of sins (justification aspect of salvation) received by faith. Paul rebukes them for not “obeying” the truth he delivered to them (not for being unbelievers). He appeals to the faith they already had as the basis for arguing that not law-keeping but faith-keeping was necessary for the blessings God had in store for them. It's foolish to begin a journey in the power of the Spirit and then try to bring the journey to completion/fulfillment by a means that was inadequate for starting it. It's like starting across the ocean flying in an airplane, and then halfway there, decide to finish by swimming.

3:6-9 Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 to show that the dynamic in Abraham's life was faith, not deeds of the flesh. God always “reckons” righteousness on the basis of faith. What one has to believe varies (Adam-die if eat fruit; Cain-accepted if do right; Noah-flood coming; Abe-God would bless him; Moses-God accepts sacrifices as atonement; John's audience-the kingdom promised in OT in which God rewards righteous behavior was coming [this was the same as the initial message of Jesus and the apostles], latter audience of Jesus and the apostles-Jesus is the promised Messiah who blesses [and forgives]). In each case faith in what God had revealed was necessary to be righteous in God's sight. Paul says that God (the Scriptures) foresaw (seeing ahead of) that God would justify (declare righteous) the nations/Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the good news (gospel) to Abe that in him, all the nations would be blessed. So those who demonstrate a faith like Abe will be blessed like Abe.

3:10-18 God's promise to Abe was made 430 years before the law, so there is no way the law can undo or annul the faith dynamic which was the basis of God's promise. Instead of blessing, the law brings curse for disobedience. But Christ's death took that curse as our substitute, so we would be free to receive the blessing that comes through the path of faith. The blessing comes to Abe's seed (note the argument hangs on the word being singular rather than plural), which is Christ, who shares it with those who are in union with Him. Notice that the subject matter is the inheritance that one gets in the kingdom, not forgiveness. Inheritance is a reward for faithful obedience (Col 3:24-25).

3:19-29 So what's the purpose of the law? It was added as a temporary measure (most likely to restrain or highlight transgressions/sin) until Christ would come and bring the promised blessing (which via the Spirit would write the law on their heart). Both God and the Jews had responsibilities under the Mosaic law/covenant, but the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant was dependent solely upon God (see comments on Gen 12 &15). The law isn't at odds with the promises of God. If there was a law that could give life, then righteousness would come from the law. But the law enclosed (like a shoal of fish in a net) all under sin so that the promise of faith (Spirit and inheritance) could be given to those who believe. Under the law, they were guarded or enclosed (protected?) people, the law serving as a guardian/tutor, with a view toward them being justified by faith. Now that the anticipated faith was revealed (the content of what they should believe), the believers were no longer under the guardianship of the law. Now they are all children of God (born) through faith in Christ. Their identity is one, in the Messiah Jesus, and thus heirs of the promise made to the seed of Abraham (blessing/inheritance). This means that all distinctions (like Greeks and Jews) no longer exist, so Greeks not only don't need to become Jews to receive the Messianic promises, but they even can't become Jews.

Application: How are you being perfected by the Spirit (Romans 8:14)? For what are you believing God?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks for all that You've promised me in Christ; guide me in drawing on Your Spirit to reap all the blessings You have in store for me. Thanks. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God has purposed to extend righteousness to people who believe what He's revealed. He promised to bless the entire world through Abraham, and now conveys that blessing through Christ to those who exercise faith.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus died for us so that we could be forgiven and share in the blessings of His Messianic kingdom.

Us in a nutshell: We who believe are no longer who we were, but are new creatures in Christ, living by faith in Him, indwelt by His Spirit, and headed for glory as heirs of His kingdom.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Matthew 1-4 King and Kingdom Come

Psalm 118:1-29 Blessed Hesed

118:1 “Give thanks to Yahweh, for He is good, for His hesed/loyal covenantal love endures forever. 2 Let Israel now say that His hesed/loyal covenantal love endures forever. 3 Let the house of Aaron now say that His hesed/loyal covenantal love endures forever. 4 Now let those who fear Yahweh say that His hesed/loyal covenantal love endures forever.

5 Out of my distress, I called on Yah. Yah answered me and brought me into a spacious place/freedom. 6 Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 7 Yahweh is on my side among those who help me. Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in princes. 10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of Yahweh, I cut them off. 13 You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but Yahweh helped me. 14 Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. "The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly. 16 The right hand of Yahweh is exalted! The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!"

17 I will not die, but live, and declare Yah’s works. 18 Yah has punished me severely, but He has not given me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to Yah. 20 This is the gate of Yahweh; the righteous will enter into it. 21 I will give thanks to You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. 23 This is Yahweh’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it! 25 Save us now, we beg You, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg You, send prosperity now.

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh! We have blessed you out of the house of Yahweh. 27 Yahweh is God, and He has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to You. You are my God, I will exalt You. 29 Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for He is good, for His hesed/loyal covenantal love endures forever."

Observations: 118:1-4 Sandwiched between the shortest and longest chapters of the Bible, this final Hallel HalleluYah Praise Psalm deserves special attention. It opens and closes with giving thanks to Yahweh, for His goodness as shown by His hesed, or loyal covenantal love which endures forever (to those who fear Him, all others need not pray, for this doesn't apply to them).

118:5 This verse summarizes many of the psalms, and hopefully our personal experience.

118:6-16 Since God is the mighty helper and deliverer, it's foolish to put confidence in anyone or anything else. Therefore we should trust Him, and we'll wind up praising Him.

118:17-25 Recalling God's past help, psalmist looks with confidence to the God's future deliverance from the consequences of his present sin. He looks forward to entering into the gates (of the Temple/city) through which only those rightly related to God (righteous) can enter, to praise God for His deliverance. Verse 22 would apply to a leader (David) who had been rejected, but became the head of the building (Davidic Covenant/Dynasty). Jesus applied this verse to himself in Matthew 21:42.

118:26-29 These last verses show up in a lot of contemporary hymns, and probably had their original reference to the high priest coming to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. The reference to light might be that of the priestly blessing specified in Numbers 6:22-27. The praise concludes where it started, with God's hesed, the basis of all His blessings.

Application: If we are on God's side, He will be on our side, and then, all is good.

Prayer: I praise You God, for Your hesed to me, for Your loyal love, and discipline, and deliverance, and for being the delight of my life. Thanks. Amen.

Proverbs 26:13-16 The Slimy Spiritual Sluggard

Pr 26:13 “The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!" 14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed. 15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with reason/discretion.“

Observations: 26:13 We just looked at the sluggard lyin' about lions making false excuses for their lying about. There were no lions in the civilized Jerusalem of Solomon's time, but then self-deceived individuals never were very good with the truth.

26:14 The reason the sluggard never gets anywhere in the spiritual life is because they think that activity is a substitute for performance. Like a door on its hinges, the sluggard moves, but in reality goes nowhere, being attached to his/her bed of escapism. At the end of the day or year, they are right back where they started, and no progress or growth has been realized.

26:15 The sluggard has false starts without accomplishment. Their hand goes in the plate (poor manners), but doesn't make it back to their mouth (unless its something unhealthily sweet). They can get all excited about something new and different, but they haven't developed the self-discipline to make their dreams (nor God's desires) a reality. They are paralyzed by the pursuit of gratifying their passions, so they can't channel their energies toward any noble task that rises above their animal instincts.

26:16 Like the total fool, a sluggard will come up with more reasons and excuses than seven wise people who try to reprove them with true evidence.

Application: If you're not making substantial progress in your spiritual life, it might be time to face the ugly truth that you're being a slimy spiritual sluggard (not pretty, nor profitable).

Prayer: God, may I never be deceived into making any of the mistakes of the sluggard, and may I welcome the reproof of those with Your wisdom, so I can achieve Your objectives for my life. Thanks. Amen.

Matthew 1-4 After 400 years of silence since Malachi, the NT opens with the book that links the two testaments. Matthew demonstrates that Jesus is the promised Messiah, rejected by His people, and shows those who accepted Him how to live in light of that rejection, so they'd be blessed in the coming kingdom (that's the purpose statement of the book, built from the unique material and emphasis of Matthew). Matthew builds his case around five discourses or sermons (chapters 5-7, 10, 13 18, 24-25) which some opine is a reflection of the first five books of Moses. You decide. The first four chapters (this post) start with genealogy (hey, it links with the OT), and include Jesus' birth, spiritual warfare with the devil, and the initial message of John, Jesus and the disciples (they all said the same thing, and if you don't understand it, you'll miss the meaning of the rest of the NT).

With the exception of John's gospel, the books of the NT are written primarily to believers who had accepted the Messiah's claims and teachings, and whose sins were forgiven. Thus their purpose is not evangelistic, but edification (building of believers' faith). John's gospel has a stated twofold purpose (John 20:30-31): that his readers might have life (believe) and have it abundantly (continue to believe), reflecting Jesus comment in John 10:10 (evangelism for the first half of the book; edification in the second).

While many miss the above truth, most people don't realize that the bulk of each gospel describes Jesus' ministry to an audience who also had their sins forgiven (covered or atoned for), by participation in the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and the Levitical sacrificial system. Just read what God revealed about each sacrifice in Lev 1-7.

Leviticus 4:26b “So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.” 

The NT isn't about how to get forgiveness, but how to live righteously (just like God wanted in the OT). To try to make every passage talk about Jesus dying to forgive the sins of unbelievers is to distort the truth just like the perverted priests of the OT did (cf Ezekiel 13:9-11), and deprive God's people of the words of the abundant life. If you've been deceived into the thinking that the truth doesn't apply to you, you will miss the application and blessing God desires.

The first four books are called the Gospels (good news), a combination of narrative and discourse describing the Messiah's life and ministry. They were written as eyewitness accounts shortly after Christ's death  approximately ~AD 30 (why would anyone wait decades to write what happened?). There are papyrus fragments of Matthew and Mark dated to before the AD 70 destruction of the temple. See under the 7 Questions in the Sidebar for “Can God Communicate" for an overview of the reliability of Scripture, or this link for more detail.

Each gospel is written to a different audience, and they are not strict chronology but more topical (like most of the Prophets), and are arranged to make a theological point which served the needs of the audience. The first three are referred to as the syn-optic gospels because the see-together similar material. John has a different focus and purpose and correspondingly selected somewhat different material to emphasize.

See Digging Deeper for a detailed timeline of the NT, which has a link so you can download and print it. There is also a link to Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources.

Don't miss the new “Build-A-Jesus” section under Digging Deeper; we'll be developing a Biblical portrait of the Revealed Jesus, as we go through the NT.

Matthew 1 Jesus the Messiah Will Save His People as Promised

1:1 "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah...5 Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse. 6 Jesse became the father of King David. David became the father of Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 11 Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the exile to Babylon. 12 After the exile to Babylon...13 Zerubbabel...16 Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ/Messiah. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon to the Christ, fourteen generations.

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this; for after his mother, Mary, was engaged/betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away/divorce secretly. 20 But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She shall bring forth a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins." 22 Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son. They shall call his name Immanuel"; which is, being interpreted, "God with us." 24 Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself; 25 and didn’t know her sexually until she had brought forth her firstborn son. He named him Jesus."

Observations: 1:1-17 The book opens with the assertion that Jesus is the Messiah (= Hebrew for “Anointed”; which in Greek =”Christ”) and specifies that He is the Son of David, with the right to rule according the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7), which is an unfolding of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12). The genealogy is abridged, and traces Jesus' legal ancestry through Joseph, His father, giving Him the legal right to rule. Luke traces His physical lineage through Mary all the way back to Adam (demonstrating to a Greek audience that Jesus was the “perfect man”). So, that's why there are two “different” genealogies. We'll briefly look at other genealogical issues when we get to Luke. It's worth noting that Matthew includes Gentile women in the account, indicating that God's concern is for all nations, as promised to Abraham “in you, all the families of the earth will be blessed."

1:18-25 This account is well known, but a few observations are in order. Joseph is called righteous. He didn't want to disgrace Mary by a public divorce. Note that betrothal was considered a bond broken by divorce. When we get to Matthew 19 remember that unfaithfulness during the betrothal period was grounds for divorce. One could infer or reason the necessity for a Virgin Conception (just like Abraham “reckoned a resurrection” from the available facts - Hebrews 11:17-19). If sin came through the seed of man, and the Messiah was to be a spotless lamb that didn't have to die for His own sin, so His death could be applied to the sins of others {Isaiah 53}, then He had to be human, to die in the place of man, and not have a human father to avoid the sin nature inherited from Adam {Romans 5:12}. See comments on Isaiah 7:14, the type, of which Christ is the anti-type. Just like the child in Isaiah's day was an indication that God was with the people, so too Mary's child harbingered God fulfilling His promises to His people. The Greek word for virgin is “parthenos,” the standard word for a woman who had not had sexual relations with a man.

The name Jesus indicates His mission: “to save His people from their sins,” which has a much broader application than dying for them. In future posts we'll discuss (and prove) that the NT authors used the verb “sozo” Strongs #4982 in a variety of senses, the specific meaning is determined by context. In the OT/LXX, the most frequent use was to “deliver” from enemies, a sense used in the NT. The overarching NT meaning is to “reverse the effects of the Fall”, regaining what Adam lost, seen in three aspects:

1) justification – declaration of the forgiveness of sins, and pardon from the death penalty;
2) sanctification – rebuilding towards pre-Fall holiness and a relationship with God;
3) glorification – restoration to pre-Fall glory.

Since this is a major theme of the NT, and majorly misunderstood, we'll revisit it numerous times in context. For those of you who can't wait, take a look at the noun “salvation” in Thayer's Lexicon (Strong's #4991) or nose around on Truthbase.net (1 Peter 1 is a good place to start).

Application: God is not just interested in having Jesus die for our sin, but in fulfilling His promises,
including those of saving us from the effects of sins in our lives, so He can bless us.

Prayer: God, You are ever faithful to You promises, may I live righteously so I can experience You dwelling with me throughout each day. Amen.

Matthew 2 Worshiped and Rejected

2:1 "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard it, he was troubled,and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. 5 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet, 6 ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come forth a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’" 7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him."

9 They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Being warned in a dream that they shouldn’t return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." 14 He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, 18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted, because they are no more."

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 20 "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead." 21 He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee, 23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."

Observations: 2:1-15 Evil king Herod was not a legitimate descendent of David, but an Idumaean/Edomite, put on the throne by the Romans. His response to the news that there was a rival “King of the Jews” prophesied in the Scriptures didn't give him pause for thought, but he plotted the destruction of God's plan. He's also the guy who expanded and refurbished the temple, which just goes to show that a concern about “religion” is no substitute for righteousness. The wise guys, the Magi, were following His star which didn't behave as any known natural phenomena, and was probably a localization of God's glory (like that which guided Israel in the wilderness), or an angel with a really bright candle. The star followers foreshadow the seeking of the Messiah by Gentile nations during His millennial reign. The gifts have meaning, which, while not explained, could point to the Messiah's roles as: King (gold), Priest (frankincense was burned by the high priest), and Sacrifice (myrrh was used for burials).

2:16-23 Herod typifies the hypocritical religious institution, who would oppose the Messiah during His stay on earth. Joseph gets another dream, telling him to go to Egypt, and another to return, similar to how God protected the nation in Genesis and Exodus. Matthew relates this to Hosea 11:1. In Exodus 4:22 God called Israel His firstborn son, out of Egypt. The Messiah, as His son, both in a only begotten and Suzerain-Vassal relationship, was also called out of Egypt. There is no direct prophecy that Jesus would be a Nazarene, but Jesus being called one is in line with what the prophets said. The Nazarenes were a despised people because of their close association with the Romans. The Messiah was said to be despised (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22; Daniel 9:26). Some have suggested a word play on the Hebrew word for Branch, which is similar to Nazareth, but being despised fits Matthew's theology of a rejected Messiah better. Thus these two chapters serve as a fitting prologue to the story of the King of Kings, rejected by the Jewish establishment, but worshiped by the Gentiles.

Application: God protects His servants from opposition that would endanger the fulfillment of His purposes, but doesn't spare them the discomfort of living in an evil world.

Prayer: God, may I be quick to hear and obey like righteous Joseph, and willing to be despised for the fulfillment of Your purposes. Amen.

Matthew 3 Repentance and Authentication

3:1 "In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" 3 For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight." 4 Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.

6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of repentance! 9 Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 "Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire."

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John would have hindered him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?" 15 But Jesus, answering, said to him, "Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness."Then he allowed him. 16 Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming to rest on him. 17 Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Observations : 3:1-5 John the Baptist is firmly established by all the gospel writers as the voice in the wilderness of Isaiah 40 (see post, really). Isaiah 40 opens the section about the future kingdom which starts with the herald announcing the King.

Matthew usually used the phrase the “kingdom of heaven” (literally that comes from the heavens), where the other writers used the phrase the “kingdom of God” (the kingdom that comes from God) perhaps to follow the Jewish custom to avoid mentioning God's name so they wouldn't take it in vain. In any event, this is the kingdom is that promised in the OT, where the Messiah would come and rule over the righteous nation and bless them as promised. However, in the OT, they had to be blessable to be blessed. If they lived in unrighteousness and injustice, they could only expect God's wrath, not blessing. It didn't matter if they were children of Abraham (who do you think got all that discipline and wrath in the OT?), their sin would be punished.

For a total refutation of the kingdom being "the rule of God in one's heart,” for which there is no Biblical support, see Survey of Rewards on Truthbase.net and comments on Luke 17.

Isaiah 40:10 (about the King coming to reward and pay back) is key to understand in light of John the Baptist's comments about how to repent (especially in Luke 3): Stop living as if this world was all there is and start living as if the King was coming who would reward righteousness. Clean up your act, and make Him welcome.

3:6-12 Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of actions. Baptism is used of immersing wool in a vat of dye, that can symbolize cleansing or identification (or death to self as in Romans 6). In repentance contexts it's appropriate to see it as symbolic of washing away sins.

John saw the Messiah's coming as an immersion in the Holy Spirit (in fulfillment of the New Covenant (see Jeremiah 31:31, and Joel 2), and immersion in fire (as in Malachi 3). The Messiah would make a distinction between those who were loyal to God, who would be blessed, and those who did their own thing, who would suffer. This theme is seen repeatedly in the OT; there is no indication that it will change in the NT, in fact, we'll see it reinforced repeatedly. Some responded, the entrenched religious establishment, hooked on ritual and tradition, usually didn't.

3:13-17 John's comments about Jesus are authenticated by a miracle (a pattern throughout the NT). Jesus comes to get baptized by John who at first refuses, because he knew Jesus didn't have sins to repent of. Jesus' rejoinder, “to fulfill all righteousness” is a little difficult to pin down. There is no OT command or requirement to be baptized, and Jewish baptism was usually self-immersion. If baptism is viewed as identification, then Jesus was identifying with the repentance movement, or the sins of the people which He would eventually bear. An alternative view is that the people viewed a righteous person as one that would get baptized (similarly to Jesus paying the temple tax). Another option is that Jesus was submitting to the human ritual as emblematic of submitting to the task of taking the people's sins upon Himself. He authenticates John's ministry by participating in it, and Jesus gets authenticated by the Father. In any event, the Father was well pleased with Jesus' actions and bestowed the Holy Spirit upon Him, not just as a token of His favor, but a symbol of the anointing of the Messiah King. Philippians 2 indicates that Jesus emptied Himself of His glory/power in His sojourn on earth, and since the Holy Spirit is the spirit of power and glory, the Father is empowering Him for His work, much the same way as He empowered kings and prophets in the OT, and believers in NT and modern times.

Application: Living righteously in light of the Kingdom of God is best way to live if you want to experience God's pleasure rather than pain.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for denying Your promises and commands, and living for myself, as if this world is all there is; show me how to bring forth fruits consistent with my repentance, and live for You. Thanks. Amen.

Matthew 4 Passing the Test of the Temporal

4:1 "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. 3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’"5 Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you.’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’"8 Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. 9 He said to him, "I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’"11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.

12 Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15 "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned." 17 From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

18 Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men."20 They immediately left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. 22 They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.

23 Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. 25 Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him."

Observations: 4:1-11 Being led by the Spirit into testing by Satan, Jesus successfully endures the test, even in a physically weakened state. Temptation is not sin, embracing it is (James 1:14-15). He was tempted in the same areas that Eve was (see Genesis 3 post), and we are (see 1 John 2:13): Pleasure (bread), Power (security, significance – forcing God to take care of Him), Possessions (kingdoms). God created Adam and Eve (and you and me) with these desires, and they are good (even Jesus had them). In fact, it was God's will for Jesus to eat, and be ministered to by angels (Hebrews 1:14), and rule over all kingdoms. However, Satan's will for our lives is a shortcut. If we do things Satan's way (or our way, which usually are one and the same) rather than God's way, we lose (like Adam and Eve) rather than win (like Jesus).

Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Notice that Satan knew and twisted Scripture misquoting (Psalm 91:11 leaves out “and guard you in all your ways”) it in an effort to dissuade Jesus from doing the Father's will. Satan's major weapon is deception/lying, but Jesus uses the Sword of the Spirit (the word of God - Ephesians 6) to vanquish the lies. See series: Defense Against the Dark Arts on Truthbase.net for learning how to be successful in spiritual warfare. Unless we can wield the sword of Truth, we'll be skewered by Satan's lies.

4:12-17 Jesus ministered for about a year (John 1-4, see chart under Digging Deeper) until John was imprisoned. Then when the herald had finished his work Matthew records Jesus' ministry in Galilee, in accord with the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah 9:1-2. Jesus preaches the same message as John, repent in light of the coming kingdom (He sends out the apostles with the same message as well).

4:18-25 Jesus calls his disciples from living for the temporal and challenges them to live for the eternal. They immediately make the choice that eternity outweighs the temporal, and follow Him. We'll talk more about discipleship in Mark, the manual of discipleship. Jesus taught in the synagogues, as well as proclaimed the good news (gospel) about the kingdom (note, that there is no mention of the cross in all this). He authenticates the message with miracles. Note too the distinction between sickness and demonic possession. Multitudes followed. What will He say to them? Stay tuned for the Sermon on the Mount in the next post.

Application: The successful follower of Jesus can use Truth to avoid the temporal temptations of Satan to live for the eternal benefits of Christ.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may I follow You and Your example of submitting to the Father's will, and living for Your fulfillment of my desires, both now and in the world to come. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

The url's are included in case you have trouble with the link. Swartzentrover has a treasure trove of information, some more useful than other links, which would be worth exploring after you finish Revelation.

Timeline of the Harmony of the Gospels

Super Detailed Timeline

http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/bible/Timelines/10%20BC-110%20AD.htm

Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/bible/Bible/NT/Gospel%20&%20Acts/Non-Christian%20Sources01.htm

The Bible's Manuscript Evidence:

http://www.debate.org.uk/debate-topics/historical/the-bible-and-the-quran/the-bibles-manuscript-evidence/

God in a nutshell: God is working out His plan to bless the world through the seed of Abraham. His kingdom promises are not forgotten, and He calls people to live for them. He authenticates His servants when they deliver His message. He doesn't exempt them from difficulty, but gives grace and glory for service.

Build-A-Jesus : Since so many people talk about “being like Jesus” or being Christlike, without a clue to the “real” Jesus (rather than that of the oral tradition they hear at Christmas and Easter), I thought it would be beneficial to build a balanced, Biblical view of our Awesome Lord (who is nothing like the helpless babe in the manger). I'll just highlight the aspects of Jesus that the chapters we consider emphasize. You more technically oriented might want to start a spreadsheet, listing the traits or characteristic or actions along one axis, and the references along the other. As your understanding of the revealed person of Christ grows, you might need to expand or combine the traits. There is no right answer, but your final portrait should be pretty close to the original subject. (No Impressionists allowed, sorry.)

Want to be like Jesus? Then know how to handle the Truth, resist the temporal temptations of Satan, submit to the Father's will, call others to repentance, and make disciples. A few miracles couldn't hurt either.

Us in a nutshell: We need to repent (change our mind) about living for this world, as if this is all there is (like Herod), and there is no kingdom coming as promised in the OT. We need to get a grip on Truth that won't get away from us when confronted by Satan's lies. We need to view fishing for men as superior to fishing for things that stink after a few days.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Matthew 1-4 (complete text)

Matthew 1

1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram. 4 Ram became the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon. Nahshon became the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse. 6 Jesse became the father of King David. David became the father of Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon became the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the father of Abijah. Abijah became the father of Asa. 8 Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat became the father of Joram. Joram became the father of Uzziah. 9 Uzziah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the exile to Babylon. 12 After the exile to Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel became the father of Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel became the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim. Eliakim became the father of Azor. 14 Azor became the father of Sadoc. Sadoc became the father of Achim. Achim became the father of Eliud. 15 Eliud became the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan. Matthan became the father of Jacob. 16 Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon to the Christ, fourteen generations.

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this; for after his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. 20 But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She shall bring forth a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins." 22 Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son. They shall call his name Immanuel"; which is, being interpreted, "God with us." 24 Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself; 25 and didn’t know her sexually until she had brought forth her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.

Matthew 2

2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. 5 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet, 6 ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come forth a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’" 7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him."

9 They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Being warned in a dream that they shouldn’t return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." 14 He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, 18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted, because they are no more."

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 20 "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead." 21 He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee, 23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."

Matthew 3

4:1 In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" 3 For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight." 4 Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him. 6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of repentance! 9 Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 "Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire."

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John would have hindered him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?" 15 But Jesus, answering, said to him, "Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfil all righteousness."Then he allowed him. 16 Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. 17 Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Matthew 4

4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. 3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’"5 Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you.’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’"8 Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. 9 He said to him, "I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind me,Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’"11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.

12 Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15 "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned." 17 From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

18 Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men."20 They immediately left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. 22 They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.

23 Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. 25 Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.