Ephesians 4: 8-9
What was Jesus doing while His body laid in the tomb, dead? Paul tells us in his letter to the saints in Ephesus:
This is why it says, "When He ascended on high He led captives in His train and gave gifts to men." What does "He ascended" mean except that He descended to the depths of the Earth?
Paul is quoting Psalm 68:18 here, and telling us that on His way to Heaven, Jesus went into the Realm of the Dead, Sheol, and gathered all the Old Testament saints who were in the Paradise side, that He called "Abraham's Bosom." They were there because until Jesus shed His blood, their sins could only be covered by the blood of the animals God told them to sacrifice; only God's own Blood Jesus sprinkled on the sides of His altar, the Cross, could actually take away sins. Covered sins are still there, but only taken-away sins are gone. This is what is needed to qualify to dwell in the Presence of God in Heaven.
Colossians 2:15 tells us that having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the Cross.
So Jesus went down into Paradise to gather all His saints there, and paraded them in a show of victory in the sight of all the demons and rebels who were in the Hell side of Sheol, as He led them into Heaven.
Jesus fulfilled all the Old Testament laws, starting with the first, most fundamental sacrifice, the personal one, that Leviticus begins with. It must be first, because without it we do not have a chance of ever getting close to God or learning His ways.
The individual would bring the animal to the priest and lay his hand on its head putting his sins on the animal, then the priest would sacrifice the lamb on the altar, dying instead of the person. Then he would splash the lamb's blood on the sides of the altar to cover the sins, and the person could then be forgiven and have a relationship with God. But he still went to Sheol when he died. Until Jesus died.
In the same way, we each need to figuratively lay our hand on the head of the Lamb of God, letting Him take our sins upon Himself, taking our death for us, His blood splashing the sides of His altar, the Cross to wash away our sins.
If our sins have not been washed away by Jesus dying in our place, then when we die we'll still go to Sheol; but the Paradise side was taken to Heaven, so there's only the other side there now.
If you've not been able to let Jesus take your place in death, then I would advise you to pray and ask God to give you His gift of saving faith.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Friday, April 14, 2017
Good Friday in Isaiah
Isaiah 53
(V. 3-5) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
Jesus was not a handsome man among men, He was ordinary-looking.
Surely He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
When Jesus died, He paid our debt of human death, with all its sorrows and griefs and regrets, but until we see Him with eyes of faith, it looks like God is against Him.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.
Jesus had no charges against Him, the criminal charges are against each one of us. We have transgressed, and He paid the consequences for our sins.
(V. 7, 10) He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet he opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not his mouth.
Jesus is the Lamb of God set aside for Sacrifice (the Greek is very specific). Sheep don't bleat when sheared, and Jesus did not answer the false accusations lodged against Him.
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief: when you shall make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see his seed, He shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his Hand.
It was the Triune God's Plan before He created any of this Universe that the Son would be the One to come to us in our humility to pay our debt, so that we would be able to be with Him in His glory. It's the only way we can. That is the joy that enabled Jesus to endure the Cross (see John 17:24).
(V. 12b) He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
The "sin-nature of the many" all those who have been born with the sin-part of Adam's DNA that we all inherit; and "made intercession for the transgressors," all of us who have deliberately made wrong choices in defiance of God's rules.
Jesus didn't leave anyone out from ability to be saved, from the innocent babies to the most hardened criminal. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross.
Today, Good Friday, is the day we remember the Passion of the Christ. The day mankind executed God, the worst day in the history of the World, we call Good, because what man intends for evil, God intends for good; and the most evil of all God uses for the unimaginable best for each of us. All written down in detail hundreds of years before it happened.
Today's Friday, but Sunday's coming!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(V. 3-5) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
Jesus was not a handsome man among men, He was ordinary-looking.
Surely He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
When Jesus died, He paid our debt of human death, with all its sorrows and griefs and regrets, but until we see Him with eyes of faith, it looks like God is against Him.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.
Jesus had no charges against Him, the criminal charges are against each one of us. We have transgressed, and He paid the consequences for our sins.
(V. 7, 10) He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet he opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not his mouth.
Jesus is the Lamb of God set aside for Sacrifice (the Greek is very specific). Sheep don't bleat when sheared, and Jesus did not answer the false accusations lodged against Him.
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief: when you shall make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see his seed, He shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his Hand.
It was the Triune God's Plan before He created any of this Universe that the Son would be the One to come to us in our humility to pay our debt, so that we would be able to be with Him in His glory. It's the only way we can. That is the joy that enabled Jesus to endure the Cross (see John 17:24).
(V. 12b) He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
The "sin-nature of the many" all those who have been born with the sin-part of Adam's DNA that we all inherit; and "made intercession for the transgressors," all of us who have deliberately made wrong choices in defiance of God's rules.
Jesus didn't leave anyone out from ability to be saved, from the innocent babies to the most hardened criminal. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross.
Today, Good Friday, is the day we remember the Passion of the Christ. The day mankind executed God, the worst day in the history of the World, we call Good, because what man intends for evil, God intends for good; and the most evil of all God uses for the unimaginable best for each of us. All written down in detail hundreds of years before it happened.
Today's Friday, but Sunday's coming!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, April 13, 2017
God Cares For The Animals, Too
Isaiah 34: 16-17
Search the Book of the Lord, and see what He will do. Not one of these birds and animals will be missing, and none will lack a mate, for the Lord has promised this. His Spirit will make it all come true. He has surveyed and divided the land and deeded it over to these creatures. They will possess it forever, from generation to generation.
O my Father, You are so good, such a good God to us all, including the animal kingdom. You will make sure that no species of animal will become extinct that is needed on this Earth for its ecology. You have promised that, "Not one of these birds and animals will be missing (extinct), and none will lack a mate (endangered)." You, Father, have even determined and set aside the land area that is suitable for each species, that they will be able to flourish, as well as the remnants of the peoples all over the Earth who will survive.
Father, You will send Your Son, our King and Lord, to restore all things and establish His thousand-year rule. It will be this Earth's "Golden Age," before the final end of this order of being.
You are such a good God to everything You have made!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Search the Book of the Lord, and see what He will do. Not one of these birds and animals will be missing, and none will lack a mate, for the Lord has promised this. His Spirit will make it all come true. He has surveyed and divided the land and deeded it over to these creatures. They will possess it forever, from generation to generation.
O my Father, You are so good, such a good God to us all, including the animal kingdom. You will make sure that no species of animal will become extinct that is needed on this Earth for its ecology. You have promised that, "Not one of these birds and animals will be missing (extinct), and none will lack a mate (endangered)." You, Father, have even determined and set aside the land area that is suitable for each species, that they will be able to flourish, as well as the remnants of the peoples all over the Earth who will survive.
Father, You will send Your Son, our King and Lord, to restore all things and establish His thousand-year rule. It will be this Earth's "Golden Age," before the final end of this order of being.
You are such a good God to everything You have made!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Morning By Morning
Isaiah 50: 4-5
The Sovereign Lord has given me His words of wisdom, so that I know what to say to all these weary ones. Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I do not rebel or turn away.
Isaiah was used mightily by God because he had a right attitude before God. O that we who are His would learn to hear His voice speaking to us quietly in our spirits, or by dreams or visions, or by the reading of His Word. May we listen intently to what He says to us in order to obey and follow completely.
Let the mind that was in Christ Jesus ("Not My will, but Yours!") be in each of us. May He awaken us morning by morning to open our understanding to His will for us. May He grant us His wisdom in how we speak to one another, with His law of kindness under our tongue, that our words will be gracious, kind, sweet, and Truthful. May His integrity rule over our lives binding all its parts into one whole. May He help us to continually listen to our Father's words, and strengthen us to follow Him faithfully, not rebelling or turning away regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in.
Then we will know the way in which we are to walk, the path He has planned for each of us before the World began; that we each will accomplish our parts in His great Plan of the Ages and rule with Him in His Kingdom.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The Sovereign Lord has given me His words of wisdom, so that I know what to say to all these weary ones. Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I do not rebel or turn away.
Isaiah was used mightily by God because he had a right attitude before God. O that we who are His would learn to hear His voice speaking to us quietly in our spirits, or by dreams or visions, or by the reading of His Word. May we listen intently to what He says to us in order to obey and follow completely.
Let the mind that was in Christ Jesus ("Not My will, but Yours!") be in each of us. May He awaken us morning by morning to open our understanding to His will for us. May He grant us His wisdom in how we speak to one another, with His law of kindness under our tongue, that our words will be gracious, kind, sweet, and Truthful. May His integrity rule over our lives binding all its parts into one whole. May He help us to continually listen to our Father's words, and strengthen us to follow Him faithfully, not rebelling or turning away regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in.
Then we will know the way in which we are to walk, the path He has planned for each of us before the World began; that we each will accomplish our parts in His great Plan of the Ages and rule with Him in His Kingdom.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Only A Remnant Is Left
Isaiah 24: 3-6, 13-16a
The Earth will be completely emptied and looted. The Lord has spoken. The Earth mourns and dries up, and the crops waste away and wither. Even the greatest people on Earth suffer for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God's instructions, violated His laws, and broken His everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse consumes the Earth. Its people must pay the price for their sin. They are destroyed by fire, and only a few are left alive.
Throughout the Earth the story is the same--only a remnant is left, like the stray olives left on the tree or the few grapes left on the vine after harvest. But all who are left shout and sing for joy. Those in the West praise the Lord's majesty. In Eastern lands they give glory to the Lord. In the lands beyond the Sea, they praise the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. We hear songs of praise from the ends of the Earth, songs that give glory to the Righteous One!
Isaiah has been shown some of what will happen when Jesus returns. (See also what Daniel says, and Zechariah, and John in Revelation, and all the other Scriptures).
When we put all these descriptions together, connecting the dots to see more of the Big Picture, then we can understand better how God will righteously judge the very Earth itself, as well as it's inhabitants who have rejected Him and His ways. Only those who have turned to Him, and accepted His gifts of Grace and Mercy in the Saving Faith He gives to save and redeem us through what His Lamb of God has already accomplished on the Cross will survive to reign with Him.
Then those who are left will shout and sing, His praises will ring out over the whole Earth, out to the farthest reaches of the Universe!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The Earth will be completely emptied and looted. The Lord has spoken. The Earth mourns and dries up, and the crops waste away and wither. Even the greatest people on Earth suffer for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God's instructions, violated His laws, and broken His everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse consumes the Earth. Its people must pay the price for their sin. They are destroyed by fire, and only a few are left alive.
Throughout the Earth the story is the same--only a remnant is left, like the stray olives left on the tree or the few grapes left on the vine after harvest. But all who are left shout and sing for joy. Those in the West praise the Lord's majesty. In Eastern lands they give glory to the Lord. In the lands beyond the Sea, they praise the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. We hear songs of praise from the ends of the Earth, songs that give glory to the Righteous One!
Isaiah has been shown some of what will happen when Jesus returns. (See also what Daniel says, and Zechariah, and John in Revelation, and all the other Scriptures).
When we put all these descriptions together, connecting the dots to see more of the Big Picture, then we can understand better how God will righteously judge the very Earth itself, as well as it's inhabitants who have rejected Him and His ways. Only those who have turned to Him, and accepted His gifts of Grace and Mercy in the Saving Faith He gives to save and redeem us through what His Lamb of God has already accomplished on the Cross will survive to reign with Him.
Then those who are left will shout and sing, His praises will ring out over the whole Earth, out to the farthest reaches of the Universe!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, April 10, 2017
A Smooth-Skinned People?
Isaiah 18: 2, 7
Go, swift messengers! Take a message to a tall, smooth-skinned people, who are feared far and wide for their conquests and destruction, and whose land is divided by rivers. ... At that Time (that Day He returns) the Lord of Heaven's Armies will receive gifts from this land divided by rivers, from this tall, smooth-skinned people, who are feared far and wide for their conquests and destruction. They will bring the gifts to Jerusalem, where the Lord of Heaven's Armies dwells (where He is ruling on His Throne).
Isaiah has directed these words to Ethiopia, but who actually is this tall, smooth-skinned nation, an "aggressive nation of strange speech"? (NIV) If we look at the world map of today, there are nations that did not exist in Isaiah's day, so it may not actually refer to the Ethiopa we know today.
When we look at Nations today that are: divided by rivers; populated by a tall, smooth-skinned people; who are feared world-wide for their political, military and financial power, and speak a language much different from Hebrew; I only see one modern Nation that fits this description.
If the Lord should come within our lifetime (which I fully expect He may), then today's map could tell us who this Nation is. Should the Lord tarry until the map changes again, then it could be some other Nation at that time. But I think we need to be aware of the times in which we are living, and be prepared to follow our Lord in whatever He has planned for each of us.
God's ways are not our ways, and when He says to, "Come out of her, my people, that you not participate in her sins, and you do not receive of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4), we must be able to listen to and obey His quiet voice in our spirit, and not just do what seems reasonable to us.
O my Father, strengthen me to be able to do all the things You planned before time for me to accomplish. Help me to grow: spiritually strong in Your wisdom and knowledge of You; in my mind and emotions, to think clearly and love others unconditionally with Your love; physically fit to go where You send me and do the work set before me to do; that my attitudes be those of my Lord Christ Jesus, my words gracious and compassionate; my life an offering to You, Father, to use as You will; that Your Kingdom may come and Your will be done on this Earth, in this World, even as it is now done in Heaven.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Go, swift messengers! Take a message to a tall, smooth-skinned people, who are feared far and wide for their conquests and destruction, and whose land is divided by rivers. ... At that Time (that Day He returns) the Lord of Heaven's Armies will receive gifts from this land divided by rivers, from this tall, smooth-skinned people, who are feared far and wide for their conquests and destruction. They will bring the gifts to Jerusalem, where the Lord of Heaven's Armies dwells (where He is ruling on His Throne).
Isaiah has directed these words to Ethiopia, but who actually is this tall, smooth-skinned nation, an "aggressive nation of strange speech"? (NIV) If we look at the world map of today, there are nations that did not exist in Isaiah's day, so it may not actually refer to the Ethiopa we know today.
When we look at Nations today that are: divided by rivers; populated by a tall, smooth-skinned people; who are feared world-wide for their political, military and financial power, and speak a language much different from Hebrew; I only see one modern Nation that fits this description.
If the Lord should come within our lifetime (which I fully expect He may), then today's map could tell us who this Nation is. Should the Lord tarry until the map changes again, then it could be some other Nation at that time. But I think we need to be aware of the times in which we are living, and be prepared to follow our Lord in whatever He has planned for each of us.
God's ways are not our ways, and when He says to, "Come out of her, my people, that you not participate in her sins, and you do not receive of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4), we must be able to listen to and obey His quiet voice in our spirit, and not just do what seems reasonable to us.
O my Father, strengthen me to be able to do all the things You planned before time for me to accomplish. Help me to grow: spiritually strong in Your wisdom and knowledge of You; in my mind and emotions, to think clearly and love others unconditionally with Your love; physically fit to go where You send me and do the work set before me to do; that my attitudes be those of my Lord Christ Jesus, my words gracious and compassionate; my life an offering to You, Father, to use as You will; that Your Kingdom may come and Your will be done on this Earth, in this World, even as it is now done in Heaven.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, April 9, 2017
The Silver Cord And The Golden Bowl
Ecclesiastes 12: 6-7
Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don't wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For the dust will return to the earth and the spirit will return to God Who gave it.
David was an old man when he penned these words. Old age usually brings with it a wearing down of the body and the diminishing of the bodily functions: The light of the sun, moon and stars will look dim to our eyes (v. 2), our legs will lose the strength to stand and run (v. 3), the teeth will not be able to chew well (v. 4a), the eyes will see only dimly (v. 4b) and the ears will hear muffled (v. 4c). Our bodies will eventually wear out, no matter what we do to to nourish it and take care of it (v. 5).
May we each consider our end years and days, and look to see what we can do now, today, before we may be subject to all this limiting of what we will be able to do then. Let us use what remaining years we have to do our best with all our strength to serve our God, relying on Him more and more as the days progress; because only in His strength can we do all that He has planned for us to accomplish for the furtherance of His Kingdom, and that's the only thing that will count in the end. And He will receive all the credit, all the glory for what He has done.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don't wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For the dust will return to the earth and the spirit will return to God Who gave it.
David was an old man when he penned these words. Old age usually brings with it a wearing down of the body and the diminishing of the bodily functions: The light of the sun, moon and stars will look dim to our eyes (v. 2), our legs will lose the strength to stand and run (v. 3), the teeth will not be able to chew well (v. 4a), the eyes will see only dimly (v. 4b) and the ears will hear muffled (v. 4c). Our bodies will eventually wear out, no matter what we do to to nourish it and take care of it (v. 5).
May we each consider our end years and days, and look to see what we can do now, today, before we may be subject to all this limiting of what we will be able to do then. Let us use what remaining years we have to do our best with all our strength to serve our God, relying on Him more and more as the days progress; because only in His strength can we do all that He has planned for us to accomplish for the furtherance of His Kingdom, and that's the only thing that will count in the end. And He will receive all the credit, all the glory for what He has done.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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