His Mercy, His Kingdom

 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions [some translations use the word "mercy"] never fails. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 

- Lamentations 3:22-23

[Jesus said to his disciples] "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle his accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousands bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was unable to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 

At this the servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.'

"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had the mercy on your fellow servant just as I had for you?' In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 

"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

- Matthew 18:23-35

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

- Hebrews 12:15

The Penultimate Prophet Would Announce The Messiah - Prophecy Series

 A voice of one calling: 

"In the wilderness prepare

    the way for the Lord;

make straight in the desert

    a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be raised up,

    every mountain and hill made low;

the rough ground shall become level,

    the rugged places a plain."

- Isaiah 40:3-4

"John [the Baptizer] replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of the one calling inthe wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord."

- John 1:23

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The Temple

The Temple

The Genesis account relays that God was in the Garden with his creation, with the first two humans – Adam and Eve. The Garden was God’s first temple because the temple is where God dwells. Genesis 3 tells us that mankind rebelled against God when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s one command. As a result, mankind was expelled from the Garden, from the temple. Since then, God has done everything to restore the temple in order to be with his creation.

As described in the Book of Exodus, God instructed the nation of Israel to build a tabernacle while they were wandering in the wilderness. Centuries later, God provided detailed plans for a temple – which King David’s son, Solomon had the privilege to complete. Each time, the temple was meant to be a place for God to dwell, to be with his people. For God desires to be with his creation. Unfortunately, mankind’s continued rebellion prohibited (and prohibits) God from being in the presence of sin. However, God made a temporary provision by the use of the temple which involved lengthy instructions of sacrifice of animals and a cleansing ritual in order to be in God’s presence. But the nation of Israel rebelled against God which resulted in punishment by the use of the armies of other nations and the destruction of the temple.

After the nation of Israel were exiled (see 2 Chronicles 36, the Book of Daniel and the books of Ezra and Nehemiah), God instructed the prophet Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and the temple (see Ezra 3 and Nehemiah 2). When Nehemiah and the Israelites were halfway done with the walls, they were taunted and threatened by neighboring kings and armies. But Nehemiah stood his ground. He did not come down from the wall (Nehemiah 3:4). Eventually, the city and the temple was rebuilt.

But mankind’s rebellion continued, and an everlasting temple was required for God to be with his people. God hates sin, but “For God so loved the world [mankind] that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). God came to the earth in the form of a man – Jesus the Messiah, Emmanuel which means “God with us.” Jesus said to “destroy this temple” and he will rebuild it in three days. The religious leaders of the time ridiculed him for this statement. But Jesus was talking about his own body. While on the cross, as his temple was being destroyed, the “people, priests and the elders mocked Jesus, and shouted at him … ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah, the chosen of God.’” They mocked and taunted Jesus, but Jesus did not come down from the cross. Jesus stood firm and completed the will of God. For Jesus was going to rebuild his temple in three days while in the grave.

Jesus is the rock of salvation. He told his disciple Peter, “And I tell you … on this rock [speaking of himself] I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” God built a new temple – his church, his people – who are the community of believers in Jesus the Messiah. God built his new temple in each believer as the Apostle Paul wrote, “.. do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” Therefore, each believer can be in the presence of God without the need of “lengthy instructions,” because the ultimate sacrifice Jesus said, “It is finished,” when he was on the cross. Now, it is the privilege of every believer to seek God in prayer, “… your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” The believer must “stand firm” (1 Corinthians 16:13), on the rock, Jesus who is the cornerstone of his temple, and not be moved by those who would taunt and ridicule the believer for his or her faith in the one who desires to be with his people in perfect unity for all eternity, until one day when his people will dwell with him in his perfect and restored temple on the New Earth (Revelation 21).

The Messiah's Ministry Started in Galilee - Prophecy Series

 ... in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan:

    The people walking in darkness

        have seen a great light;

    on those living in the land of deep darkness

        a sword has dawned.

- Isaiah 9:1-2

When Jesus heard that John [the Baptist] had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. ... to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

... the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,

    Galilee of the Gentiles - 

the people living in darkness

    have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death

    a light has dawned.

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

- Matthew 4:12-17

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The Perfect Sacrifice - Prophecy Series

 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire -- but my ears you have opened -- burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, "Here am I, I have come -- it is written about me in the scroll, I desire to do your will God; your law is within my heart."

- Psalm 40:6-8

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased." Then I said, "Here am I -- it is written about me in the scroll  -- I have come to do you will, God." First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" -- though there were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, "Here am I, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus once for all.

- Hebrews 10:5-10

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Substitute for Sin

Substitute for Sin

 Jesus was and is the perfect substitute for the sin of mankind. It’s called propitiation. Hebrews 10:11-12 says, “Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties, again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest [referring to Jesus the Messiah] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of GOD.” Before Jesus, who is the ultimate and eternal priest, the Jews had priests who would offer various sacrifices to GOD to cover the sins of those who presented an animal without blemish. Unfortunately, this process was temporary as it only covered the sin and did not “take away sins.” Fortunately, this process was temporary as Jesus the Messiah took away the sins of the world – for those who believe in him (John 3:16) – for all eternity.

Why is this significant? Why a sacrifice? Why a substitution? Because GOD is perfect, and mankind failed to remain perfect (Genesis 3). Habakkuk 1:13 states, referring to GOD, “Your eyes are too pure to look at evil; you cannot tolerate wrong.” In essence, imperfect mankind could not and cannot be in the presence of perfection – the Almighty GOD. The only remedy, the only punishment for sin is death. GOD told the first two humans the same thing – that is spiritual death. The Apostle Paul stated when writing from a Roman prison, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of GOD.” (Romans 3:23)

Prior to the time of Jesus the Messiah, sin was only covered by imperfect animals as all creation was affected by sin. Leviticus is riddled with various types of sacrifice – a list too lengthy for this article – which temporality covered various types of sin. From the blood of cows, sheep to doves, these animals were used in this process. The blood which the Israelites used to cover the “top and sides of the doorframe” while in Egypt represented their saving moment of destruction, but again it was only temporary relative to the millennia of history. Centuries prior, Abraham was commanded by GOD to take his only son, Isaac, to Mount Moriah and sacrifice him (Genesis 22). Fortunately, GOD stopped him and provided a ram as a sacrifice. Since GOD cannot be in the presence of sin, sin must perish, as the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6, “the wages of sin is death,” mankind’s spiritual death. Fortunately, GOD stopped this from happening for anyone who believes in the one who provided the ultimate sacrifice, the supreme substitution – Jesus the Messiah.

Even before the Levitical commands of temporary sacrifice, GOD intervened with sacrifice – with a substitution for sin (Genesis 8:20-21). He provided for Noah. After the waters of the Great Flood receded, “… Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma …” and made a covenant with mankind not to destroy the earth as he had done – with water. (This water was a precursor to the baptism all followers of Jesus the Messiah are blessed to experience.)

Before Noah, GOD covered the sin of Adam and Eve. Genesis 3 tells us, “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” In order for the provision of the “skin” to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness and sin, GOD sacrificed an animal. This was the first sacrifice, the first substitution which covered the sin of mankind. Unfortunately, this process was temporary as it only covered the sin and did not take away the sin. Fortunately, this process was temporary as Jesus the Messiah took away the sins of the world once and for all, the perfect propitiation. According to many scholars, the place where Jesus the Messiah was crucified, Golgotha, is the same location of, or near, Mount Moriah as previously mentioned – which indicates that Abraham’s son Isaac and the ram were inadequate sacrifices. Jesus the Messiah, GOD’s only Son, was the last sacrifice and is the ultimate sacrifice for all of mankind’s sin, for all eternity for those who believe in him (John 3:16).

To Be Forgiven

Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.
- Psalm 25: 6-7

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive the, so that you Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

- Mark 11:25

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

- 1 John 1:9

Messiah Humbled Himself - Prophecy Series

You [Jesus] have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet.

- Psalm 8:5-6

It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man [Jesus] that you care for them? You mad them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet."

In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at the present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned in glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

- Hebrews 2:5-9

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The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like - Matthew 13:44

[Jesus told his disciples a parable.] "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

- Matthew 13:44

Messiah Will Be [Was] Born in Bethlehem - Prophecy Series

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origin are from of old, from ancient times.

- Micah 5:2

When he [Jesus] had called together all the people's chief priests and teacher of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is that the prophet has written:

"But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will shepherd my people Israel."

- Matthew 2:4-6

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Bread of Life

 Bread of Life

“Give us this day our daily bread.” – Matthew 6:11

When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray he instructed them to approach God with affection by calling him “Father” and to revere his name. They were to seek his kingdom in heaven and ask for the same on earth, and seek forgiveness as well as forgive others, and ask for help in time of temptation.

In the midst of this prayer – which is a guide for all prayers – he included the portion of requesting bread. This would not have been a surprise instruction. Deut. 8:2-3 speaks of manna provided to the nation of Israel in the wilderness. Later in their journey with Jesus, he instructed his disciples there is more to life than bread. In John 6:35 “Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never go thirsty.’” When we pray for bread – for the physical nourishment the human body requires – we are to pray for the spiritual nourishment our spirit requires. Jesus is that spiritual nourishment. He gives us what we require to resist temptation and be a light to the world. (Matt.5:14)

Not only are we to pray for ourselves and our family, but also for our neighbor. Our neighbor is the one without bread. This is the reason Jesus used the plural pronoun “us.” When Jesus fed the multitude he was speaking to a wide variety of people in their respective journey with Jesus – his twelve disciples, other followers, seekers, doubters, and those fascinated by his miracles.  This prayer extends beyond the family of God. When Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount he said “… love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matt. 5:44) The “us” also includes those who oppose Jesus.

When a follower of Jesus the Christ prays, “Give us this day our daily bread,” the prayer is not a selfish one – praying for just what I need, or what my household needs. It is a prayer of love as we ask God the Father to provide for our neighbor and our enemy. He knows our physical need for food and water; he also gives required spiritual food to his believers in order to light the way for those who do not know Jesus – the eternal bread of life.  

A Virgin Will Give Birth - Prophecy Series

Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." 
- Isaiah 7:14

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God."
- Luke 1:35

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