Thoughts on the Bible Readings December 27th (Job 37; Zechariah 12; Revelation 14)r

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Elihu concludes his speech in Job 37 by proclaiming the majesty of the Almighty. The final speeches of the book are delivered by our Sovereign God. And so, in a sense, Elihu is God's forerunner just as John the Baptist was of our Lord Jesus Christ as Malachi 3 prophesied he would so do. In the final chapter Job is asked by the Almighty to make intercession in prayer for his 3 friends. As no such intercession is requested for Elihu it is reasonable to conclude that Yahweh had accepted what Elihu had said. Like with Moses and Elijah at Mount Sinai, so did the LORD precede His speech with an awesome display of His might - on this occasion "out of the whirlwind'. The whirlwind is a symbol of warfare in the Bible - indicating there is a divine warfare in the book of Job - between the Almighty against sin and self- righteousness. Elihu outlined the majestic power revealed in the thunder (spoken of in the Psalms as, "the voice of Yahweh") and in the lightning and the interplay between these two momentous forces. Verse 6 says that the snow falls at the Almighty's command. Mankind and all creatures are cowed by His awesome power. And what God does is according to His will and He does it purposefully. How can you even understand such power, let alone think you can challenge the LORD? Humble yourself and learn from Him. Show reverential fear and cease from your conceit. The same words must be acknowledged by us and responded to by the way in which we live. Zechariah 13 tells us that, "in that day" i.e. of Israel's heartfelt conversion to and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, as their formerly rejected and crucified Messiah; there would be in Jerusalem a fountain for cleansing. That fountain will be symbolising the Rulership of the nations by Jesus Christ throned in his Temple (the house of prayer for all nations - expanded upon in chapter 14). Chapter 12 tells us how this situation will be brought about. Before this can happen Jerusalem will become, as it already is and still presently worsening, the centre of worldwide conflict - all nations gathered to battle in Jerusalem (see Joel 3; Zechariah 14; Revelation 16verses13-16). The language of, "a stone of stumbling" (see Isaiah 18; Psalm 118; 1 Peter 2 etc) is a frequent Bible theme. It speaks of a stone that was so heavy that when once lifted it was too heavy to safely put down. "The cup of trembling" speaks of befuddling of the mind through intoxication. Jerusalem's ownership is an unsolvable issue for the United Nations (refer to their resolution 242; whereby Israel is demanded to return the old city, captured from the Jordanians in June 1967, to the kingdom of Jordan). Currently the President of USA has asked for the President of Israel to ensure that Israel accepts a two-state system for the Land of Israel i.e. one which recognises the rights of the Palestinians - not only in the Gaza Strip but also in the "occupied" West Bank. The nations are being gathered for Armageddon - the battle of God Almighty (Revelation 16verses14-16) - and this is described in the next few verses. Yahweh will defend His people and smite their foes with confusion. Israel's Sovereign will empower His people and give them the victory. The key to their delivery will depend on their acceptance of the Lord Jesus as their Messiah and saviour. We are told of their intense mourning for him once he has revealed himself to the nation of Israel - his beloved friends. Revelation 14 verses 1-5 show the redeemed with their Lord on Mount Zion, the glorious centre of the Jerusalem of the kingdom age. They are like those spoken of in chapter 7 the 144,000 - the Israel of God. They are virgins as they have not been defiled by the Roman whore - her teachings and behaviours. The Word of God has penetrated their thinking to the extent that the Lamb's Father's name - Yahweh - was written on their forehead i.e. in their brain, in their mind, their conscience and character (compare John 6verses26-29). Verses 6-13 deal with the message/work of the three following angels. The first angel speaks of the everlasting Gospel being taken to all nations. This message includes the acceptance of God as the Almighty Creator (i.e. evolution is a falsehood that people will forsake in Christ's kingdom). The second and third angels proclaim Rome's doom (that city is symbolised as Babylon). The system - centred in Rome, but extending through the entire world - which has persecuted the faithful believers of our Lord for 1,700 years will commence to be avenged from this point in time. Two judgments are outlined. Firstly, the "harvest of the earth" - Catholic Europe from where Rome has derived its temporal power. And secondly, "the vine of the earth" the whole territory which has supported the vengeful peddlers of false doctrine (Revelation 17verses1-6, 18). It will be concluded about 30 years later when Rome itself is destroyed totally and for ever (Revelation 18verses21-24). Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here... [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-bible-readings-december-27th-job-37-zechariah-12-revelation-14r/?feed_id=108181&_unique_id=694e26438f368