Resource Manager Posted June 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 26 June 2011 1 Samuel 5; 6Isaiah 51Revelation 12; 13 "A CALL FOR THE ENDURANCE AND FAITH OF THE SAINTS" “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints” [Revelation 13:10]. All dedicated Bible believers are saints! This statement in Revelation was true then – and it is just as true today. It will need to be a dominant guiding principle in believer’s lives as God “shortens the days” [Matthew 24:22] causing the “sudden” return the Lord Jesus, for if that did not happen no human beings would be left alive. Honesty should compel all dedicated students of God’s word to admit that some things, maybe many things, in the Bible are a “challenge” to understand. The history of Christianity is full of examples of mistakes made in trying to be specific when expounding prophecy. It is clear that, throughout history there has been a continuing battle between that which is true and right in relation to God and that which is a human perversion of that truth – often caused by human pride and the distorting God’s word so as to enhance that pride. It was so in the time of Jesus and we read in several places how Jesus condemned the religious leaders for teaching their own traditions. [Matthew 15:3-6] These are represented in Revelation as a dragon and a beast. We read of a beast that looks somewhat like a lamb [Revelation 13:11] but when it opens its mouth it is clear it is not – and those who know their Bibles realize that. One of the lessons we learn in life is that one never judges simply by appearances! This is why it is essential to read and absorb the teachings of the Bible for ourselves. In past Centuries, that which is represented by the symbols of the beast and the dragon often persecuted those who followed the lamb. Sometimes they became martyrs – and that began with some of the disciples. Today, as well as seeing those who think Christ accepts them as his followers teaching things which Christ did not teach, we also have to contend with the energetic promotion of the belief that we are just the highest form of evolved animal life! As a result there is even greater immoral behaviour now with “no fear of God before their eyes” [Romans 3:18] So the call for “endurance and faith” goes out today more than ever. We must heed the call.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted June 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 27 June 2011 1 Samuel 7; 8Isaiah 52Revelation 14 "WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE LORD" We have read how when Samuel was a mature adult and fully able to command the respect of all Israel “all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD” [1 Samuel 3:20]. But the old priest Eli was still alive and we further read how his sons were killed and their father died after they took the ark of God into battle against the Philistines. The Philistines captured the ark but it caused them great trouble and it was proved to them that this trouble had not “happened to us by coincidence” [1 Samuel 6:9] Then, we read today, “a long time passed, some 20 years and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.” [1 Samuel 7:2] and a mature Samuel was ready to challenge the people. “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart then put away the foreign Gods … from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you … “ [1 Samuel 7:3] So the people “gathered before the LORD and fasted on that day, and said ‘We have sinned against the LORD.’” Until that time they had served the Philistines. The rest of the chapter tells us how they ceased to dominate Israel, how the LORD caused a “mighty sound … and threw them into confusion.” [1 Samuel 7:10] “So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.” [1 Samuel 7:13] They did not need a mighty army; they needed a right attitude of trust and faith in God following their acknowledgement of their sins against the LORD. This principle has always been true and it is sad that as Samuel becomes old, the people seek for a king to fight their battles; living in peace with their enemies was not enough. Paul’s words are relevant; “we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh … We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” [2 Corinthians 10:3, 5.] A prayerful attitude to knowing God’s word enables us to take wrong thoughts captive and contend effectively against the reasoning of those who know not God. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted June 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 28 June 2011 1 Samuel 9Isaiah 53Revelation 15; 16 "YET IT WAS THE WILL OF THE LORD" Today we meditated at length on Isaiah 53, one of the best known and most meaningful chapters in the Bible. It is the message Isaiah received about God’s suffering saviour of mankind. How challenging for us, for all people, to see God at work – working in ways that cause humans to think and search their hearts as to the meaning of life – and see it from God’s perspective and, in the process, to see the part God is seeking for them to take in the greater picture which he sees – and which we can only dimly see most of the time. Jesus saw this perfectly – and we have his example to try to follow. We have been, and maybe still are, among those who “like sheep have gone astray … have turned everyone to his own way” [isaiah 53:6] He alone was “like a lamb” that “was led to the slaughter” for “it was the will of the LORD to crush him” [isaiah 53:10]! Then comes the contrast: “he shall see his offspring … the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” The whole sequence of events was mapped out in the mind of God and then put into effect through the willing co-operation of Jesus. Note Isaiah 53:11 “by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” Think about the word “knowledge.” Think of the “knowledge” of Jesus of God’s will and his commitment to do it. The same challenge is made to us – to gain a true knowledge “of the will of the LORD” through reading his word and then putting that knowledge into action in our lives. This made us think of Job and his struggle to understand the ways of God – and the challenge God made to him, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” [Job 38:2] This leads to Job’s final confession, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” [Job 42:2] The more we learn of “the will of the LORD” the more we will say the same as we wait to see “the will of the LORD” for this present world, but even more, look to see God’s will for us in the way we can be among those “working together with him” [2 Corinthians 6:1]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted June 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 29 June 2011 1 Samuel 10Isaiah 54Revelation 17; 18 "FOR IN A SINGLE HOUR YOUR JUDGEMENT HAS COME" Every time we read Revelation, especially Revelation 16-20, we have a multitude of thoughts. The thoughts on which we focus our attention more than anything is the picture it gives of the climax of human history at the return of Christ. This is short and sudden. We see this as the latter day counterpart to ancient Babylon - and we recall the head of gold of Nebuchadnezzar’s image and the dramatic end of his Empire. We also remember that Babylon is the way the Greeks translate the Hebrew word Babel into their language causing us to think of what God did to Babel generations after the flood to demonstrate to ungodly men that he is in control in the earth. Therefore Revelation is giving us a picture in symbolic language, of the final “hour” of human kingdoms. We read, “Alas! Alas! … you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” [Revelation 18:10] The spiritual element in Babylon today is “clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet” [Revelation 18:16]; these are the dominant colours in Papal garments - but “in a single hour she has been laid waste. Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints … for God has given judgement for you against her” [Revelation 18:19,20] A puzzling factor is the great wealth of this latter day Babylon and many see significance in the fact that the European Common Market was established by the ‘Treaty of Rome’ in 1957 and the countries that belong (and it seems significant that the U.K. did not) just about all of them are Roman Catholic. The major reason for their unity is financial and for 50 years the E.U. has been very prosperous. This year especially the scene changed and it could become critical, so note the words, “for in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste” [Revelation 18:17] Our Lord made a simple statement, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” [Matthew 6:24] What is it to “serve money”? Money, and the things it can buy, dominate our thinking! We see this all around us. Let us heed the voice which says, “Praise God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great … Let us rejoice … and give him glory” [Revelation 19:5]. True believers are “his bride (who has) made herself ready.” -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted June 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 30 June 2011 1 Samuel 11; 12Isaiah 55 Revelation 19; 20 "WHY DO YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY FOR ..." We read a particularly meaningful chapter in Isaiah today! Meaningful because it is so applicable to the attitudes than can and do influence us today. The prophet is caused by the Lord to put the question, “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which does not satisfy?” [isaiah 55:2] God then says, through the prophet, “Incline your ear and come to me; hear; that your soul may live (eternally)” [isaiah 55:3] It is also said that ‘time is money’ – so how do you spend your time? Then the prophet makes an appeal which is equally, if not more urgent today “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man (or woman) his thoughts; let him (or her) return to the LORD that he may have compassion … for he will abundantly pardon.” [isaiah 55:6,7] Then comes the analogy (Isaiah 55:10) that, like as the rain waters the earth to make our food grow and produce a harvest “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth ; it shall not return to me empty” [isaiah 55:11] When God’s word is planted in your heart – what is your reaction? Jesus is the perfect example! Remember how the word of God was made flesh when he was born and grew up to represent God and speak his words and fulfil his purpose as we read in Isaiah 53. Today the whole world has his word; they can read it in their own languages. May all who read it diligently allow it to become part of their thinking so, when Christ reigns, they will “go out in joy and be led forth in peace” [isaiah 55:12] and will live in a transformed world with the curse of Eden removed and there are no longer thorns and briers [isaiah 55:13] and “Death and Hades (the grave) were (are) thrown into the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was (is) not found in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” [Revelation 20:14,15 which we also read today] This “fire” cleanses the world of all impurity and all impure people. May the names of all those who read this be in God’s book! Is that too much to expect? -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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