The last book of the Holy Bible begins, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ..." (Chapter 1: verse 1).
Eight key themes, which are woven into the whole bible (old testament and new testament Scriptures, are summarized in Revelation Chapter 1. Interestingly, they all begin with "S":
SCRIPTURE (see verses 1-3) - The Bible and the Bible only (Sola Scriptura); "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17); "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15);>"...the truth of the Lord endureth forever..." (Psalm 117:2).
SALVATION (see verses 4-6) - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16); "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live..." (Ezekiel 33:11).
SECOND COMING (see verses 7-8) - "...I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again* and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:2,3).
*He didn't say that we would go to meet Him before He returns (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17)
SABBATH (see verse 10) - "And on the seventh day God ended his work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all his work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all his work which God created and made" (Genesis 2:2,3); also see Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58:13,14; Hebrews 11:1-4 & Revelation 14:7.
SANCTUARY (see verses 12-13) - "Thy way O Lord is in the Sanctuary, who is so great a God as our God" (Psalms 77:13); [Everything in the Jewish Sanctuary and its corresponding services pointed forward to Jesus Christ and the mystery of SALVATION]
STATE OF THE DEAD (verses 17,18) - "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23); Death is a sleep (see Job 7:9,10,21; The dead know not anything (see Ecclesiastes 9:5); The righteous dead will be raised at the SECOND COMING of Christ, before the 1000 years, to receive their reward [life without end], and the wicked dead will be raised after the 1000 year, to receive their reward [death with an end] (see Revelation 20:1-6,14,15).
SPIRIT OF PROPHECY (verse 9) - "The Lord will do nothing but He revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7); "I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily raising and sending them..." (Jeremiah 7:25); also see Revelation 19:10 & 22:9,10.
SAINTS (see verse 20) - "Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as we see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24,25); "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love" (1 John 4:7,8); also see Luke 6:27,28 and ending at v. 36); "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galations 3:29); "...that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through* Jesus Christ: that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:14).
*And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:2,3).
Look up the fascination Geneologies of:
Judah (the son of Israel) to David, the King (Ruth 4:12-22)
Abraham to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17)
Jesus to Adam (the first man made in the image of God)(Luke 3:23-38)
Showing posts with label Spirit of Prophecy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spirit of Prophecy. Show all posts
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Sunday, December 27, 2009
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
On December 18, 2009, the European Union...the President signed the first part of... What this means for the Christian is that God's word is coming to pass when, "...the dragon was wroth [angry] with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her [the church of Christ] seed which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ," (Revelation 12:19) is nearer now than when we first believed.
On December 1, 2009, Germany reaffirmed the sacredness of Sunday as a day of worship to be protected. What this means for the Chrisian is that the time when the second beast power, with the backing of the first beast power would, "...cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed...and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the number of the beast, or the number of his name" is nearer now than when we first believed (Revelation 13:15-17).
On December ??, 2009, the District of Columbia sanctioned gay marriage. What this means to the Christian that, "...as in the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matthew 24:37-39).
There are two groups of people we can be in during these times. One group will be looking at the coming crisis and respond with anxiety, fear or worse yet, despair. The other group will be watching, praying and working, and as they see bible prophecy being fulfulled, their faith will be strengthened in the certainty of the coming Christ.
This past year has brought about more changes to our world and way of life then we could ever have imagined. Some have been stirred to action or even more effective, self-examination and prayer. Some have missed the signs, being cleverly distracted by well-timed expositions of Tiger Woods' sins, Michael Jackson's well-publicized death, Rihanna's personal problems and the unprecedented inaugration of the first dark-skinned man in America's Presidental history.
Friends, my appeal is simple, "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh" (Matthew 24:44).
"WHEREFORE GOD ALSO HATH HIGHLY EXALTED HIM, AND GIVEN HIM A NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME: THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW,...AND THAT EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER" (Philippians 2:9-11).
On December 1, 2009, Germany reaffirmed the sacredness of Sunday as a day of worship to be protected. What this means for the Chrisian is that the time when the second beast power, with the backing of the first beast power would, "...cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed...and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the number of the beast, or the number of his name" is nearer now than when we first believed (Revelation 13:15-17).
On December ??, 2009, the District of Columbia sanctioned gay marriage. What this means to the Christian that, "...as in the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matthew 24:37-39).
There are two groups of people we can be in during these times. One group will be looking at the coming crisis and respond with anxiety, fear or worse yet, despair. The other group will be watching, praying and working, and as they see bible prophecy being fulfulled, their faith will be strengthened in the certainty of the coming Christ.
This past year has brought about more changes to our world and way of life then we could ever have imagined. Some have been stirred to action or even more effective, self-examination and prayer. Some have missed the signs, being cleverly distracted by well-timed expositions of Tiger Woods' sins, Michael Jackson's well-publicized death, Rihanna's personal problems and the unprecedented inaugration of the first dark-skinned man in America's Presidental history.
Friends, my appeal is simple, "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh" (Matthew 24:44).
"WHEREFORE GOD ALSO HATH HIGHLY EXALTED HIM, AND GIVEN HIM A NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME: THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW,...AND THAT EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER" (Philippians 2:9-11).
Thursday, December 24, 2009
JEREMIAH THE PROPHET, SON OF HILKIAH THE PRIEST (the conclusion)
"...I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not..." (Jeremiah 7:13).
"...But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward" (Jeremiah 7:23,24).
"...I have sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them: yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse then their fathers" (Jeremiah 7:25,26).
"..This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth" (Jeremiah 7:28).
"Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return...no man repenteth him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgement of the Lord" (Jeremiah 8:5-8).
"...from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace... We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health and behold trouble!" (Jeremiah 8:10,11,15).
"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" (Jeremiah 8:22).
"...But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward" (Jeremiah 7:23,24).
"...I have sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them: yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse then their fathers" (Jeremiah 7:25,26).
"..This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth" (Jeremiah 7:28).
"Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return...no man repenteth him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgement of the Lord" (Jeremiah 8:5-8).
"...from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace... We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health and behold trouble!" (Jeremiah 8:10,11,15).
"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" (Jeremiah 8:22).
JEREMIAH THE PROPHET, SON OF HILKIAH THE PRIEST (the continuation)
"...the Lord liveth, in truth, in judgement, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory. For thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart..." (Jeremiah 4:2-4).
"The prophets prophecy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" (Jeremiah 5:31)
"For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely...saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Hear, O earth; Behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it." (Jeremiah 6:13,14,16,19).
"Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 7:8-11).
to be continued...
"The prophets prophecy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" (Jeremiah 5:31)
"For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely...saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Hear, O earth; Behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it." (Jeremiah 6:13,14,16,19).
"Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 7:8-11).
to be continued...
JEREMIAH THE PROPHET, SON OF HILKIAH THE PRIEST
"The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests...to whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah..."(Jeremiah 1:1,2).
"Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth" (Jeremiah 1:4-9).
"And I will utter my judgements against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands...and they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee" (Jeremiah 1:16,19).
"Israel was holiness unto the Lord, and the first fruits of his increase...and I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof: but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me and the prophets prophesied by Baal and walked after things that do not profit" (Jeremiah 2:3,7,8).
"For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water...yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into a degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?" (Jeremiah 2:13,21)
"...Yet return again to me, saith the Lord...A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the Lord their God." (Jeremiah 3;1,21)
to be continued...
"Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth" (Jeremiah 1:4-9).
"And I will utter my judgements against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands...and they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee" (Jeremiah 1:16,19).
"Israel was holiness unto the Lord, and the first fruits of his increase...and I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof: but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me and the prophets prophesied by Baal and walked after things that do not profit" (Jeremiah 2:3,7,8).
"For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water...yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into a degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?" (Jeremiah 2:13,21)
"...Yet return again to me, saith the Lord...A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the Lord their God." (Jeremiah 3;1,21)
to be continued...
Saturday, October 3, 2009
THE YEAR 2012
Everyone seems to have a fascination with the future, especially how the world is going to end.
This blog's a real simple appeal. Come to a prediction seminar (what the bible calls a Prophecy). God's predictions (prophecies) have ALWAYS come true. He's the only one who knows the end from the beginning. I can say that without hesitation or apology because it's true.
If you can't attend the one coming up at Hyattsville Seventh-day Adventist Church on October 16, 2009, at 7pm, then attend any prophecy seminar at a local Seventh-day Adventist Church near your part of the globe.
You may also find a bible-based study group and prayerfully attend (with bible, pen and highlighter in hand).
If push comes to shove, and you can't, or choose not to do any of the above, but still desire to know the truth, then open up the Word of God yourself, and as always, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what He's saying. That way, you know that you're getting truth straight from the source.
God's blessing be upon us all.
Leuanna
202-437-4867
P.S. COSMIC CONFLICT: Revelation of Hope
October 16-November 14, 2009
Friday's - Sundays and Wednesdays
7:00pm
4905 42nd Place
Hyattsville, MD 20782
301-318-0133 or 240-778-7261
This blog's a real simple appeal. Come to a prediction seminar (what the bible calls a Prophecy). God's predictions (prophecies) have ALWAYS come true. He's the only one who knows the end from the beginning. I can say that without hesitation or apology because it's true.
If you can't attend the one coming up at Hyattsville Seventh-day Adventist Church on October 16, 2009, at 7pm, then attend any prophecy seminar at a local Seventh-day Adventist Church near your part of the globe.
You may also find a bible-based study group and prayerfully attend (with bible, pen and highlighter in hand).
If push comes to shove, and you can't, or choose not to do any of the above, but still desire to know the truth, then open up the Word of God yourself, and as always, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what He's saying. That way, you know that you're getting truth straight from the source.
God's blessing be upon us all.
Leuanna
202-437-4867
P.S. COSMIC CONFLICT: Revelation of Hope
October 16-November 14, 2009
Friday's - Sundays and Wednesdays
7:00pm
4905 42nd Place
Hyattsville, MD 20782
301-318-0133 or 240-778-7261
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS
HERE IS THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS: HERE ARE THEY THAT KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND THE FAITH OF JESUS (Revelation 14:12); See Rev. 12:17.
The Lord has ordained a special people to be a spiritual Israel for our time. In Deuteronomy 7:6, Moses records, speaking to the Israelites, "for thou art a holy [set apart] people unto the Lord thy God; the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people [treasure] unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth." [read to verse 11]
Why were the children of Israel special?
They would be the nation through whom Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Redeemer of mankind would come. Genesis 12:2,3 tells us, God speaking to Abraham, "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing; and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
There are two characteristics that distinguish God's special people. Revelation 12:17 tell us "And the dragon was wroth [enraged] with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant [rest of her offspring] of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." [see Rev. 19:10]
In your searching for spiritual Israel, seek for a people who teachings have the same components that the physical Israelites have. These are all summarized in Revelation Chapter 1:
SALVATION (The Messiah, Jesus Christ, as the only way to the Father)
SCRIPTURES (God's inspired word to us and mirror of His character)
SPIRIT OF PROPHECY (God's guiding servants of reproof and instruction)
SECOND COMING (The eminent return of our Lord)
SABBATH (The day God sanctified as a memorial of His work during creation week)
SANCTUARY (The Jewish temple services that pointed to the Messiah)
STATE OF THE DEAD (What happens when a person dies)
SAINTS (The living servants of the Lord and their ministry on His behalf)
Since the Word of God is from the source of truth, it must be studied "precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" (Isaiah 28:10). There is no contradiction in the Lord. Any seeming contradiction is in our misunderstanding. God's word make absolute sense. No prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation (see 2 Peter 1:19-21).
The Lord has ordained a special people to be a spiritual Israel for our time. In Deuteronomy 7:6, Moses records, speaking to the Israelites, "for thou art a holy [set apart] people unto the Lord thy God; the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people [treasure] unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth." [read to verse 11]
Why were the children of Israel special?
They would be the nation through whom Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Redeemer of mankind would come. Genesis 12:2,3 tells us, God speaking to Abraham, "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing; and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
There are two characteristics that distinguish God's special people. Revelation 12:17 tell us "And the dragon was wroth [enraged] with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant [rest of her offspring] of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." [see Rev. 19:10]
In your searching for spiritual Israel, seek for a people who teachings have the same components that the physical Israelites have. These are all summarized in Revelation Chapter 1:
SALVATION (The Messiah, Jesus Christ, as the only way to the Father)
SCRIPTURES (God's inspired word to us and mirror of His character)
SPIRIT OF PROPHECY (God's guiding servants of reproof and instruction)
SECOND COMING (The eminent return of our Lord)
SABBATH (The day God sanctified as a memorial of His work during creation week)
SANCTUARY (The Jewish temple services that pointed to the Messiah)
STATE OF THE DEAD (What happens when a person dies)
SAINTS (The living servants of the Lord and their ministry on His behalf)
Since the Word of God is from the source of truth, it must be studied "precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" (Isaiah 28:10). There is no contradiction in the Lord. Any seeming contradiction is in our misunderstanding. God's word make absolute sense. No prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation (see 2 Peter 1:19-21).
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
JOHN THE BAPTIST, A PROPHET
And his [John's] father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
Luke 1:67-80
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
Luke 1:67-80
Thursday, April 9, 2009
JONAH THE PROPHET
There a few lessons we can learn from the Book Jonah regardless of how short it is. Some of you may remember the story of Jonah as it is a story often told. If not: Here is your chance.
Jonah was a prophet for the Lord. A prophet is a spokesperson or mouthpiece for God. A prophet is called to encourage through God's word, rebuke when necessary and to tell God's people what the Lord is doing or is going to do.
In Amos 3:7 Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
The Lord gave Jonah an assignment/directive to go the city of Nineveh and preach against it. (Jonah 1:1)
Lesson #1: It is clear when God speaks.
Now there was no mistake that the Lord spoke to Jonah. Some question when God is speaking to them. In John 10:27 it says, My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. But if we don't study His word, we don't pray and listen for His direction, then we will never know Him. And if Jonah was a prophet for the Lord, then he knew exactly who was speaking to him. However we see in verse 3 that Jonah refused to do what God told him to do and ran from God, or so he thought.
Lesson # 2 God does not take disobedience lightly, especially if you have said to Him that you are His servant and you will follow him. That's a vow. God is very serious about vows. Jonah thought he was running from God but you can't run from Him. Running from Him means doing the opposite of what He told you to do. We see that God wouldn't give Jonah any peace in verse 4. Jonah thought if he slept he wouldn't know that God was there. God is everywhere! And when you disobey Him you may not only be causing yourself harm but those around you will suffer as well. Those that were on the boat with Jonah going to Tarsus were caught in the middle of Jonah's struggle with God. Have you ever struggled over what God has told you to do? Did you know you could harm others around you by your disobedience? God does this to get your attention so that you see that everything you do or don't do impacts more than just you. In verse 17 it's clear that Jonah wanted to die in order to get out of his assignment. God is the giver of life and death so He wouldn't let Jonah die.
Lesson #3 God does not care about your personal feelings or issues when He tells you to do something. Jonah refused to follow God's direction because he didn't like the people of Nineveh and thought they didn't deserve to hear from God. After being swallowed by the fish, we see that Jonah prayed his way out in Chapter 2. Truthfully, his heart hadn't changed. It doesn't matter if you have racism, sexism, agism, married/unmarried, cultural or any other type of issue against a person. If the Lord is saying you are to do something, get your feelings out of the way. God knew all about Jonah's heart and knew that Jonah didn't like the Ninevites but God was trying to show Jonah that the Israelites were not the only ones who could benefit from God's word. And that he must learn compassion and forgiveness. We see in chapter 3 that the Ninevites turned from their evil ways and submitted to the Lord. Jonah thought they didn't deserve to live and made it clear in Chapter 4. First and foremost we need to understand something from Isaiah 55:8-9.
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Who are we to determine what God does and doesn't do? It is just for us to follow His directions. Not out of fear but out of Love and reverance for Him. But the only way that comes about is stated in lesson #1.
(EMAIL SENT BY JOY RILEY)
Jonah was a prophet for the Lord. A prophet is a spokesperson or mouthpiece for God. A prophet is called to encourage through God's word, rebuke when necessary and to tell God's people what the Lord is doing or is going to do.
In Amos 3:7 Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
The Lord gave Jonah an assignment/directive to go the city of Nineveh and preach against it. (Jonah 1:1)
Lesson #1: It is clear when God speaks.
Now there was no mistake that the Lord spoke to Jonah. Some question when God is speaking to them. In John 10:27 it says, My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. But if we don't study His word, we don't pray and listen for His direction, then we will never know Him. And if Jonah was a prophet for the Lord, then he knew exactly who was speaking to him. However we see in verse 3 that Jonah refused to do what God told him to do and ran from God, or so he thought.
Lesson # 2 God does not take disobedience lightly, especially if you have said to Him that you are His servant and you will follow him. That's a vow. God is very serious about vows. Jonah thought he was running from God but you can't run from Him. Running from Him means doing the opposite of what He told you to do. We see that God wouldn't give Jonah any peace in verse 4. Jonah thought if he slept he wouldn't know that God was there. God is everywhere! And when you disobey Him you may not only be causing yourself harm but those around you will suffer as well. Those that were on the boat with Jonah going to Tarsus were caught in the middle of Jonah's struggle with God. Have you ever struggled over what God has told you to do? Did you know you could harm others around you by your disobedience? God does this to get your attention so that you see that everything you do or don't do impacts more than just you. In verse 17 it's clear that Jonah wanted to die in order to get out of his assignment. God is the giver of life and death so He wouldn't let Jonah die.
Lesson #3 God does not care about your personal feelings or issues when He tells you to do something. Jonah refused to follow God's direction because he didn't like the people of Nineveh and thought they didn't deserve to hear from God. After being swallowed by the fish, we see that Jonah prayed his way out in Chapter 2. Truthfully, his heart hadn't changed. It doesn't matter if you have racism, sexism, agism, married/unmarried, cultural or any other type of issue against a person. If the Lord is saying you are to do something, get your feelings out of the way. God knew all about Jonah's heart and knew that Jonah didn't like the Ninevites but God was trying to show Jonah that the Israelites were not the only ones who could benefit from God's word. And that he must learn compassion and forgiveness. We see in chapter 3 that the Ninevites turned from their evil ways and submitted to the Lord. Jonah thought they didn't deserve to live and made it clear in Chapter 4. First and foremost we need to understand something from Isaiah 55:8-9.
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Who are we to determine what God does and doesn't do? It is just for us to follow His directions. Not out of fear but out of Love and reverance for Him. But the only way that comes about is stated in lesson #1.
(EMAIL SENT BY JOY RILEY)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
