[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Having rebuked Job's 3 friends in chapter 32, Elihu turns his focus to rebuking Job in chapter 33. Elihu says that he is not influenced by important people, but he will speak the truth as it is. Nor will he be intimidated by older men. Elihu acknowledges that his respect for the Almighty will temper his response. Elihu declares that his words are acceptable before God and like those engaging in the debate, he "too was pinched off from the clay" (verse 6 ESV). Don't be frightened by what I say. He condemns Job's self- vindication and the idea that the Almighty has chosen to be Job's adversary. You, Job he says, have no right to question the LORD's right to do as He pleases. Humble yourself, listen with respect to Yahweh, is the course I recommend that you adopt, Job. What you have suffered gives you time for reflection. Job you need a mediator to speak on your behalf, as your accusations against your Maker are improper.
When you understand the redemptive work of God you will receive God's mercy and will be delivered from a permanent place in the grave. But, Job, it requires your humble pleas in prayer to your Creator. Please hearken to my words Job, for my intent is to vindicate you. And I am sure my words are wise.
Zechariah 9 is a magnificent chapter which focuses our attention on the contrast between our Lord Jesus Christ and Alexander the Great. It tells of Christ's redemptive work for believers. This chapter is one of the most remarkable in the Bible for establishing the veracity of the Word of God - it must have come from God, as it contains detailed prophecies that were fulfilled about 190 years after they had been said; precise prophecies that were outworked 550 years from being given; and prophecies which are soon to come pass. Verses 1-8 contain prophecies which refer to Alexander the Great's exploits around 332 BC. Alexander had just smashed the might of the Persian armies in two decisive battles - at the river Granicus in BC 334, followed by a complete rout of Darius' immense host at Issus in BC 333. The Syrians and the Tyrians fell in the wake of the swiftly flowing Grecian tide. Tyre had resisted sieges for 270 years before succumbing, as Scripture had foretold, to the phenomenon from Macedonia. Now God's people in puny Judah appeared to be the next kingdom to experience the wrath of the destroyer of the Gentiles.
Alexander bypassed Judah and swept down the coast attacking the Philistines and sacking Egypt. God protected His vulnerable nation. Verse 5 names 3 cities off the coast, who would incur the rage of the goat. Gaza, who had the temerity not to surrender is singled out. After venting his fury on Gaza, Alexander dragged behind his chariot the king of Gaza - who soon became an unrecognisable pulp. Having secured the south Alexander turned his focus to Jerusalem. But the Almighty had hovered in protection above His people. Here we digress for a moment. When the Apostle Paul, some 360 years later, sought to preach in Asia, but was forbidden; Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia beseeching him to bring the Gospel to Greece to help them. Now, when the Macedonian Alexander sought to vent his rage upon Jerusalem, he was prevented. God caused him in a dream to see a vision of a man of Israel, clothed in white - the high priest - and with him the 24 elders leave Jerusalem on foot and beseech the Macedonian for clemency. Alexander dismounted from his giant, white horse and bowed in worship before the holy man of his dream. The mighty Greek king claimed to have seen 25 men coming on foot to entreat the all- conquering monarch and entreat him to spare Jerusalem and the subjects of this realm. The mighty destroyer of the Gentiles yielded to the man God had placed over His nation. From verses 9-12 we are introduced to God's warrior - El Gibbor of Isaiah 9verses6-7 - who conquered himself, and in so doing
vanquished sin and death (Proverbs 16verses32; Hebrews 2verses14-18). How do we see Zion's king on his approach to Jerusalem - a lowly and meek man riding on a donkey (Matthew 21verses1-11 which quotes Zechariah 9verses9). The words "having salvation", from Zechariah 9verses9 mean "saving himself". In the process of saving others, the Lord Jesus Christ, had to first save himself. This great King, unlike Alexander whose sword caused the streets to run with the blood he shed, in love laid down his own life; and shed his own blood in order to save us. The chariot, the war horse and the battle bow were useless in Jesus' victory. Nonetheless, having first conquered himself, he will rightly come as the judge and conqueror of the world. And the entire earth will submit to the Almighty's chosen king, who will reign from Zion i.e. Jerusalem. We, who were prisoners of the pit, slaves to king sin, have through the Lord's redemptive work been given hope.
And together with our Lord bring the world into subjugation (Acts 17verses30-31). Verses 14-17 tell us that just as the LORD delivered His people at the time of crisis in the Alexandrian age, so too they can be assured of Divine aid in the calamity that will soon befall them; and which will usher in the glories of the age of Messiah's kingdom. Read aloud slowly verses 16-17 and pause and ponder.
In Revelation 7 we have described the sealing period of God's chosen people following Constantine's succeeding to the Roman throne. Believers were sealed by the Word of the LORD within their foreheads - minds, or thinking. The era of sealing commenced with the relative calm that followed the chaos of civil war within the Empire until Constantine's securing of his throne in 324 AD. When the sealing had been completed the restraining angels would unleash the four winds of judgment upon guilty Rome. From each of the 12 tribes 12,000 are sealed - clearly a symbolic number used in the apocalyptic symbolism. Each tribe is represented except Dan, which seems exempted because of its symbolising apostasy.
Joseph had 2 portions as the firstborn and so both Ephraim and Manasseh are counted. The total representative number is 144,000 (identical to the virginal community, who are with the Lamb on Mount Zion Revelation 14verses1 and whose thinking is focused on that of their Father). In verses 9-17 those sealed ones have come through great trials (Acts 14verses22). And since they come out of every nation they are not literally from Israel, but they truly constitute, spiritually, the Israel of God. These faithful followers are clothed in the white robes of righteousness and immortality and carry the victory palms of deliverance in their hands. Like those of Revelation 14 they are led by the Lamb, who sustained, fed and redeemed his sheep who follow and trust their Lord. There was an incipient fulfilment of these words at the time of Constantine's rise to power in the Roman heavens. The ecclesiastical historian Eusebius tells us that the words of verses 10-12 were spoken at Constantine's inauguration. But in reality, the words belong to the Lord Jesus Christ and the commencement of his kingdom age. The Great Shepherd King, who has sustained and feed his people throughout their pilgrimage, now finally brings them into his rest. Gone are the trials belonging to the time of their mortality, as they now become part of the Father's glorified and consoled community (compare Revelation 21verses1-4).The book of Revelation is structured so as to intersperse among the unfolding sequential historical events visions of comfort to encourage those who are experiencing the trials on their journey to the kingdom of God. Chapters 7, 10, 14-15, 19 and finally 21-22 serve this purpose throughout the prophecy - visions of future glory. Chapter 8 sees the unleashing of the judgments of the four wind angels from verse 8 onwards. Prior to this was a period of calm before the storm of tumultuous upheaval in the empire which lasted for 14 years from 324-328 AD. Half an hour in prophetic symbolism. The sounding of the 7 trumpeting angels Is recorded in chapters 8-11. The sounding of the angels start with the opening of the seventh seal in 328 AD. How vital it is that the saints of this time, as is always the case, should be sustained by prayer represented as sweet incense before the Father (Psalm 141verses2). The first trumpet began sounding in 328 AD and continued until 428 AD. It told of the Goths under the command of Alaric attacking the Empire. The second of the wind trumpets
sounded from 428 AD until 477 AD and spoke of the Vandals under Genseric sacking Rome. Verses 10-12 tell of the barbarian ravaging of the third trumpet against Rome between 433-453 AD under the Huns commanded by Attila. The fourth and final wind trumpet was by the Goth, Odoacer, in AD 476 and spoke of the final overthrow of the western Roman Empire. Hereafter the seat of Rulership was transferred to the capital of the eastern Empire in Constantinople from 476 AD onwards until its destruction on May 29th, 1453AD. The agents of destruction in the east were the Islamic powers started by the false prophet, Mohammed. Chapter 9 speaks of the opening of the pit of the abyss which released the Mohammedans to scourge the triune God worshippers from the Eastern Orthodox Church. Mohammed assumed control over his Arabs in 632 AD. Verses 13-20 speak of the rise of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire and its destructive attacking waves on Christian Europe and its eastern Roman capital of Constantinople. These attacks commenced on April 29th, 1063AD until their work was completed in 1453. Our Omnipotent
Sovereign's fingers always direct and control the course of history just as our lives are safely held in those almighty, but tender and caring, Hands.
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]If the example of pride presented in the hippopotamus repulsed us, far worse is Leviathan in chapter 41. He is the Nile crocodile, and is described as, "king over all the children of pride". Our Sovereign challenges Jobverses Try to subject and bring the crocodile under control. You can't do it with force; nor can you try to do it with persuasive words. Can you turn him into a servant, or make him an object of entertainment? In struggling with a crocodile, you will find that you have an impossible task on your hands. His hide and armour exceed that of the hippo. When he rages he is fierce beyond
imagination. He scoffs all attempts to subdue him. Metal weapons, arrows and sling stones are futile against him. There is not his like upon earth. And it is with "him" that we must struggle on a daily
basis. And without resisting him, i.e. our own human pride we cannot allow God's Word to humble us; in order that we may be able to draw near to our Creator King. In verses 1-6 of chapter 42 Job confesses his weakness and seeks for forgiveness. In verse 2 Job acknowledges, finally, the LORD's power and right to do with us as He wishes. The suffering servant's understanding of the Almighty has gone from a theoretical and untried faith to a faith that now entirety trusts his Maker, himself having been purged by his trials. Job had been proud of his relationship with the Almighty and yet he failed to understand God's right to test and prove him. Job had previously challenged God but now recognises his shortcomings. At last Job now has understanding of the infinite and uncreated power of the universe. In abject humility Job bows in reverence before his Sovereign. Verses 7-9 tell of Yahweh's rebuke of Job's 3 friends. The absence of Elihu from this group tells us that God is not displeased with him. The friends are told to offer sacrifices and seek for Job's intercession. Verses 10-17 explain that once Job had prayed for his friends God restored Job's losses twofold - except for his family; the presumption being that his lost family will be restored to Job in the Kingdom Age. Read aloud and slowly James 5verses11. Pause and ponder the principal lesson learned.
In Malachi 3 verses 1-5 we have the missions of John the Baptist and our Lord Jesus Christ explained. They were the forerunner and the messenger of the covenant - two more of God's
messengers. The Baptist was the preparer of the way, as Isaiah 40 outlined; and our Lord Jesus was the maker of the covenant of reconciliation. Additionally, our Lord would purge the corrupt Levitical priesthood; that they having been refined would come forth faithfully as tried gold (1 Peter 1verses4-7). Then will Judah's offerings be acceptable to the LORD and the oppressive ways of the priests of our Lord's day overturned. From verses 6-15 the prophet described the nation as robbing God - a charge which they vigorously denied. That failure was in not supporting the priests' maintenance through their tithes and offerings. And, although the Scriptures do not preach a prosperity gospel, their God would only bless them with rain and plentiful crops when they obeyed Him (compare Deuteronomy 27, 28). Other nations would acknowledge Israel as Yahweh's chosen and blessed people. The nation's arrogance and their sharp words of accusation against their Sovereign must cease. They had wrongfully asserted that God was distant and uninterested in their doings. The chapter finishes with a picture of God's love for His people. It shows a tender-hearted God yearning for His precious people - describing them as His jewels and beloved children. He yearns for the day when He will lavish His love on them. They are at the forefront of God's memory, presented poetically as a book. Chapter 4 describes the Great Day of Yahweh, when firstly the wicked will be consumed as chaff by the fires of judgment. Then the righteous will be blessed and prosper as fattened young calves and they will blaze brightly as the sun in their Father's kingdomverses Matthew 13verses43. For His Son, Jesus Christ the righteous, will be as the sun and he fill the earth with the understanding of his Father's Word and ways. The cherubic feet of the saints will reduce the wicked to ashes. Verses 4-6 bring together in their work 3 great servants of Yahweh - Moses
representing the Law, Elijah that of the ministry of the prophets and our Lord Jesus Christ God's only
begotten and beloved Son through whom the redemptive plan of the Father was sealed. These 3 were at our Lord's transfiguration and spoke of these matters. The book finishes with a dire warning, that unless the children of Israel's heart embraces the faith of their patriarchal fathers, the earth (eretz i.e. Israel) would be smitten with a curse. Thanks to the work of faithful saints such as John the Baptist that curse was averted and a faithful remnant will embrace their Messiah.
Revelation 21 provides a glimpse of the perfect state of the earth at the end of the kingdom age. In the first 8 verses we see new heavens and a new earth. This is because there is no longer any mortal population - no nations exist, as there is no more sea. And as there is no more death it means there is no more sin. Finally, the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5verses8). No man can see God and live Moses was told; this is not the case for the immortals. God's people, Jews and Gentiles, dwell with Him as the prophet Hosea had said. The sorrows of their struggles before attaining to the Divine nature have been forgotten with the tender scene of their loving Father wiping away all tears. Everything upon earth has been renewed and perfected. The One declaring these things is the Alpha - the first and increate - and as the Omega (the final letter of the 24 lettered Greek alphabet) the bringer to finality of all things - "God all in all" 1 Corinthians 15verses28. Nothing that is morally corrupt is allowed in this perfected world. The vision of the new Jerusalem coming from God to earth is revealed in verses 9-27. It is described as a cube - perfect in each and every dimension. It is the 144,000 who are with the Lamb - 12 squared times 10 cubed. The Israel of God with admission gained via the 12 Apostolic gates each one based on a rare and precious gem. The transparent glass sea is indicative that there is no wickedness, only the tranquil calmness of full fellowship with the Almighty and His Son. This means there is no need of a priesthood, or Temple. No artificial light is required as the earth is full of the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh (Habakkuk 2verses14).
Revelation 22 backtracks to a vision of the kingdom age. There is seen a "wood" (Greek "xulon"), meaning forest, of life on both sides of the pure river issuing from Messiah's sanctuary. The trees in this paradise bare 12 different types of fruits; and their leaves were the medicine for the healing of the nations - today 90% of medicines are derived from plants. As in Revelation 14 the faithful have their minds sealed by the Father's Word. In addition to this encouraging vision, verses 8-21 tell the faithful disciples that the coming of Jesus Christ is near and certain. The witnesses must faithfully guard the message from their Messiah. John sought to worship the one revealing that message, but was forbidden. Constant application to virtue must be maintained if the saints are to receive the reward the Lamb will bring. The tree of Life from which Adam and Eve were separated after sinning has once more been opened to the redeemed servants of Christ. Verse 15 exhorts us as disciples to practise truth and righteousness - there cannot be the Truth without individuals governing their lives by truth (Zechariah 8verses16). Jesus describes himself as the root (i.e. origin, or source Micah 5verses2) and offspring (i.e. descendant) of David. Verses 17-19 are a final call for the thirsty seekers of immortality to respond (cp Isaiah 55verses1-4). The Lord Jesus Christ says in verse 20 "I am coming speedily"; and John responds, in verse 21, together with ourselves, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen (let it be so)".
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]In chapter 40 the Almighty continues His challenge to Job. In verse 1 the LORD accuses Job of being a faultfinder without a cause. From verses 2-5 Job acknowledges his fault and promises that he will listen
in silence. Again, out of the whirlwind His Sovereign says, dress like a man in a contest and answer if you're able. Begin by considering the awesome majesty of the Almighty. God will abase all who are lifted up in pride. From verses 15-24 Job's attention is drawn to the wild river ox - most likely the hippopotamus. The hippo symbolises untameable human pride. Of all our ugly lusts pride is the worst. It creates a mighty chasm between ourselves and our Creator. The hippo has an incredible girth and a great appetite for procreation. He has the tiniest tail, yet waves it as though it's a mighty cedar - in our pride the easiest person to deceive Is ourself. The hippo's hide is legendarily tough - meaning that he is immune to correction. The hippo luxuriates in the filthiest parts of the river. Hippos kill more people in the rivers they inhabit than any other creatures of those habitats.
Malachi 2verses1-9 contain a rebuke to the priests for a failure to fulfil the commission of their Sovereign. The responsibility of priests is to lead the nation in their reverence for Yahweh. The priests were to comprehend God's Word, break it small and dispense it to the people. They were the LORD's "messengers" - but they had failed in their duty. They bore no resemblance to Phinehas, from the tribe of Levi, who demonstrated his loyalty to His Sovereign; even at the great cost of slaying the guilty, even his own relatives. And for that reverence of the Almighty, God made a covenant with Phinehas of an everlasting priesthood - Phinehas will be among the immortal priests in Messiah's kingdom. Contrary to Phinehas' example the priests of the prophet's era were corrupt and partial. From verse 10 to the end of the chapter the prophet tells of one of the great abuses of that epoch - Jews were divorcing their covenant wives to marry younger, attractive Gentile brides - which was forbidden by God (compare Nehemiah 13, which describes the same evils of that era). The prophet, on God's behalf, upbraided them for their failure to uphold their Father's covenant. Verse 11 spells out the problem; in marrying these foreign wives they were in effect joining themselves to the foreign god. So, the person bringing an offering, while committing this evil, was an unacceptable hypocrite. The refused and rejected Jewish wives were imploring Yahweh to put an end to this evil. Examine your attitude towards your wife, says the prophet; and see that your own lustful and covetous motives cause you to be faithful to your marriage covenant which was made with your Sovereign as your witness. In the beginning, Genesis 2, the LORD made man and woman one by His creative act and His accompanying declarationverses read Genesis 2verses20-25. True marriage typifies the union of Christ and his brideverses Ephesians 5verses22-33. The oneness of husband and wife must be in thinking, even more than by just a physical union (which is characteristic of the lower created beings). The Almighty still had uncalled on reserves of power, but He is zealous over the faithfulness of His peopleverses James 4verses4-10. Your actions and callous disregard for your covenant wives and for the law of your God is tiresome to Him, says the prophet.
In Revelation 19 we firstly read of rejoicing at the overthrowing of the Roman system. It is because the long-awaited judgments have been consummated. The rejoicing is from the angelic host and those saints ruling in the new Messianic heavens. Verses 6-10 speak of the Marriage of the Lamb. It is now another step closer to the filling of the entire earth with the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh, symbolising the victory of the Lamb's warfare. The fine linen is representative of "the righteous deeds of the saints". We must, as the prospective bride of Christ, remain faithful so that at the time of our marriage to Christ we will be one with the Lord who we love. Verse 9 tells us what a blessing this will be. The Apocalypse speaks of 7 blessings. The angel who revealed this to the Apostle John refused John's homage, as he says that he also has been faithfully contending and witnessing for Jesus, which he says, "is the spirit (or motivation) of prophecy". Verses 11-21 describe the going forth in war of the rider on the white horse - symbolising the righteousness of the Lamb's warfare. The saints with Christ are also mounted on white steads; as they, too, are "called, and chosen, and faithful". The Lamb's white robe had been dipped in blood indicating that the saints' source of righteousness is the offering of their leader. And Christ's source of victory is attributed to his divine Sonship and the empowering force of the Word of God. Christ's furious judgment is represented by the treading of grapes in a winepress. The nations are described as the ravenous birds, who will be invited to feast on the Roman Church's carcass. The total destruction of the Beast's organisation is spoken of by their being cast into the consuming lake of fire.
Chapter 20 of Revelation speaks of the events of the kingdom age - 1,000 years - termed the
Millennium. The symbolic powers of sin are spoken of as being cast into a bottomless pit and chained for that term. There will be a releasing of all would be rebels at the end of the thousand years. The reason for this is to test the willing loyalty of the kingdom's subjects. Service to God must always be on the basis of a choice made from a loving heart and not from fearful compulsion. The resurrection prior to the start of the Millennium will be of the responsible believers. From these the faithful will become the rulers of the
Messianic Age. The rejected will be consigned to the "second death" from which there will be no raising. The subjects of the Millennium will be raised and judged at the end of the thousand years. The blessing upon the faithful believers of the first resurrection will be to make them king-priests (Revelation 5verses9-10)
i.e. corulers with Christ. A great white throne will be set up as the final tribunal for those who will die during the Millennium. Those adjudged to be faithful will swell the ranks of the immortals. Those who were not faithful will be consigned to sleep perpetually in the grave. Tomorrow's readings in chapters 21- 22 will show the scene of the Final Consolation.
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]In chapter 39 of Job the Almighty continues challenging Job to reply if he has any understanding of the marvels of creation put before him. The first example questions whether Job knows the gestation cycle of the wild goats. Then why is the wild donkey so free and stubborn? Or can you domesticate the wild ox?
Despite its strength the ostrich is completely lacking in understanding for the care of its own. God has created all these animals, that we as humans, may learn care and responsibility. The warhorse shows no fear of the battle; on the contrary, he relishes it. Do you understand the marvels of flight and motherhood among the birds of prey? What incredible eyesight the eagle has. The eagle becomes symbolic of divine wisdom and perception. Despite the ruthlessness of his ways, the eagle is a tender provider for its young (unlike our stupid ostrich).
We come to the last book of the Old Testament. It also belongs to the time of which Micah spoke when he said that - "the sun shall go down over the prophets". It was spoken and written about BC 460. The absolutely last chapter of the Bible would be Nehemiah 13. The Hebrew word, "Melech" means 'messenger' and is the usual word for "angels" in the Old Testament (the Greek word in the New Testament carries an identical meaning). The book speaks of 4 messengers - the prophet himself; the priests; John the Baptist, styled "my messenger" in the early verses of chapter 3; and, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is called "the messenger of the covenant". The prophecy takes the form of a dialogue between the prophet (representing God) and the people. It tells of the people asking a question of accusation and God rebutting their accusation with Scripture and examples from their history. Chapter 1verses1-5 speak of Yahweh's love for Israel. The LORD attests His love and the people's response is, 'Prove it.' God says that despite Esau being the older twin the LORD chose Jacob. Follow these nations' respective histories and it will be evident that their Sovereign chose Jacob i.e. Israel. Verses 6-14 speak of the nation's disregard for God seen in what they offered on His altar. Respect is shown to a father from a son, and from a servant to a master; where then, says God, is your respect for Me? They were despising God by offering polluted food on His altar - they were offering the blind and the lame (which was forbidden).
Offer it to your Governor and see if he is not offended. If it's not good enough for an earthly ruler, how do you think the King of the Universe will react to your insult? Verse 10 states that your worship is governed by what gain you can make. You won't even close the Temple doors unless you're paid to do it. In the kingdom age under Messiah throughout the whole earth Yahweh will be praised and revered. A pure "mincah", or peace offering will be made to honour the LORD at that time. Worship had become tiresome for the people; so, God's response is, “I’m tired of this nation". Don't cheat Me by not offering the Great King your best.
Revelation chapters 17-20 are described in "Apocalypse Epitomised" by H. P. Mansfield as, "The Judgment of the Great Whore and the Triumph of the Lamb". In chapters 17-18 we read of the destruction of Rome (Babylon the Great). In chapter 17 the Roman Church is described as a great prostitute, who has shed the blood of masses of the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ over centuries. It is presented as riding and controlling a brutish beast. The harlot sits on many waters - i.e. exercises dominion over many nations see also verse 15; e.g. in Columbia one can read many signs such as, "young man if you want power, become a priest". The wine which Rome has used to befuddle the minds of those nations is Rome's teachings (compare Jeremiah 51verses7-8). Verse 5 says that on her head was a "mysterious", or 'secret', name. The Catholic system is surrounded by secrets - there is within the Catholic catechism's 7 blessed mysteries - starting with the mystery of the Trinity, a fundamental denial of the truth that Jesus came in the flesh. Rome had slain many martyrs (witnesses) of Jesus. "Foxes book of Martyrs" outlines many of these. The sight of the Great Whore brought astonishment to John. The Whore's location is said to be a seven hilled city - Rome - verse 9 (these literal hills were emblematic of the 7 forms of government Rome has had). Verse 18 in addition tells us that at the time Revelation was written - 96 AD - that the city had dominion over the then known world; and that alone was Rome. Chapter 18 tells of the moral pollutions practised by Rome and the destruction that will be brought upon it. The words of verse 2 are an echo of what was said when the first Babylon fell. Verses 2-3 express Yahweh's detestation of the vileness of Rome. Verse 4 is an appeal to God's people to have nothing to do with Rome's behaviours, so as to not share in her calamities. Martin Luther was a devout Church priest until he went to Rome and saw the perversions practised by all levels of the Church, and especially by the pontiff of that era. The Sovereign Lord will repay Rome's evils doubly. The Roman Church describes herself as, "the Mother and Mistress of all Churches"; she sits as a queen, but the Almighty will make her a poverty-stricken widow. All will forsake her and rejoice in her destruction. Verses 11-14 give an inventory of these soul merchants (note verse 13 lists among her cargoes, "the souls of men"). Those who have traded with her will be anything but exultant at Rome's fall - there will be weeping and wailing. Rome's overthrow is likened to a great angel casting a millstone into the sea. The blood of the martyrs will finally be avenged.
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Yahweh puts before Job in chapter 38, several of His mighty creative acts and dares the patriarch to explain how his Sovereign performed these marvels. Tell me about the foundations of the earth, if you can. Modern science has some ideas related to our earth's core; however, some hypotheses still surround certain aspects of this. Job is told that the creative work was the task of the angels - the sons of God. What about assigning the sea its boundaries? Or can you explain the delicate balance of the clouds and the water cycle? What do you make of the abundant riches of the oceans? Can you explain the relationship between light and darkness? Do you, Job, understand the treasures of the snow? There are no two snowflakes which are identical - yet every one of them is a perfect prismatic hexagon. The elements, says the Almighty, are My armoury prepared for the day of battle. What about the rain and dew, and My care for all creatures great and small - can you comprehend? Don't you understand that water is a unique liquid whose density decreases when frozen? By this means I preserve the life of fish and other creatures living in frigid climates. Do you understand the circuits of the constellations of Pleiades (the seven sisters), or Orion (heaven's giant)? What about Ursa Major (the giant bear - perhaps the first inference in the Bible of Russia)? The list of nature's inexplicable marvels goes on. The wisdom is evident. And with the psalmist (and no doubt also the dazed and amazed Job) we declare, "In wisdom (God) You made them all".
In Zechariah 13 we are told that, "in that day" i.e. of Israel's heartfelt conversion to and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, as their Messiah; there would be in Jerusalem a fountain for cleansing. That fountain will be the Rulership of the nations by Jesus Christ throned in his Temple (the house of prayer for all nations - expanded upon in Zechariah 14). Verses 2-6 tell us that idolatry will be cut off from God's people when they have been converted. A false priest will deny that he ever truly followed that profession. The heretical priest will claim to be a cattle herder, who had been so taught from his youth. The black robe, commonly worn by clergy, was worn by the priests of Baal and the Chemarim priests - see Zephaniah 1verses8. It is a garment which has the guise of holiness, but is worn by those practised in deceiving themselves, as well as others. When coming across the faithful Son of God, whom they profess to know they will ask him, "What are these wounds in your hands and side"? His reply will be, that those were the wounds that he received from his people, who should have been his friends (see John 1verses9-13; Revelation 1verses7). This is the time when once again Yahweh will allure Israel in the wilderness and convert them by His love and tenderness- see Hosea 2verses14. Verses 7-9 of Zechariah chapter 13 speak of the smiting of the shepherd and the scattering of the sheep - quoted in Matthew 26verses36. Verse 7 also tells us that the smitten shepherd was the fellow (same word translated "neighbour" in Leviticus 19verses the subject of the Law "You shall love your neighbour as yourself") of the Lord GOD Almighty Himself - the incomparable Son of God. Following that smiting, the Land would be visited with great destruction upon those who proclaimed, "His blood be upon our heads". Likewise at the time of the Lord's second coming and kingdom, the prophet foretells that, two thirds of Jerusalem will be destroyed. This will result in a refined and purified remnant who will be the people of Yahweh. Chapter 14 gives some of the details of the battle of Armageddon. We are told here, and in Joel 3, Revelation 16 and Ezekiel 38, 39. We are told that all nations will be involved in that war. The city of Jerusalem will in part (a half) fall to the rapacious invaders (Ezekiel 38 tells us that this northern confederacy will be headed by Russia). But God will, as verse 3 tells us, fight for His people and will use the forces of nature, including a mighty worldwide earthquake, which will dramatically change the landscape and elevate Mount Zion in Jerusalem. The saints of our Lord Jesus will be with him as he stands on the Mount of Olives to cause this earthquake - note the angels declaration that Jesus Christ would return to Jerusalem via this Mountain (Acts 1verses9-11). The consummation of this process is explained in verse 9 of Zechariah 14 with an earth under the Rulership of the kingdom of God. The remnants of the nations will, verse 16, come to Jerusalem, the capitol of the world and centre of divine worship. The verses preceding v16 speak of unspeakable plagues which could infer either chemical, or biological, or even a limited nuclear attack - which will prove futile against the Son of God. Following Jerusalem's literal and spiritual elevation (Isaiah 2verses1-4; Jeremiah 3verses16-17) people will be asked to accept Jesus' rule. Failure to comply will bring drought, or plague. Throughout Messiah's rule the nations will annually observe the Feast of Tabernacles, or booths. Eventually there will be total acceptance of the way of holiness - read verses 20-21 aloud. Pause and ponder.
Revelation 15verses2 is a small vision of the victorious saints with Christ having completed the judgment of the great whore described in the pouring out from the seven bowls of judgment the seven plagues of chapters 15-16. The crystal-clear sea speaks of a world without nations and at peace. These bowls plagues to be poured out and describe the judgments of the Lord GOD Almighty to be poured upon the guilty and to chastise them for their persecution of the faithful believers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The events of chapter 2 begin and end the work of the seventh trumpet. The angels of this great and marvellous are said to have "the seven last plagues". The plagues are a series of calamities and disasters affecting the enemies of Israel, and the Saints and Witnesses, with whose blood they have intoxicated themselves. They are called the last plagues "for in them is God's wrath fulfilled". These outpourings are outlined in chapter 16 of Revelation. The troubled sea of the wicked (Isaiah 57versesverses20-21) is to become tranquil once God's wrath has been pacified (the final outcome of these judgements will be a world at peace - Psalm 46 and Revelation 21). The nations will be pacified and will learn true worship as verses 3-4 of chapter 15 indicate. Verses 5-8 provides a glimpse into the Most Holy Place of that Temple after those judgments have been completed. Chapter 16 deals with the outpouring of those bowls of judgment. Note the command of the mighty angel who unleashes the Divine wrath on the persecutors of God's faithful saints. Verse 2 sees the first bowl poured on Catholic Europe after the accession of Napoleon to the throne, as emperor of the French on September 22nd, 1793. The second bowl was of Napoleon's campaigns in naval battles. The third was against the alpine districts and rivers of northern Italy - which region had witnessed savage persecution of the saints by the Roman Catholic Church. The angel effecting those calamities acknowledged the justice of our Sovereign in so repaying the evils done in the name of religion. Verse 8-9 tell of the severe scourge delivered to the Austrian Hungarian seat of Catholic Europe in Vienna in the battle of Austerlitz. The fifth bowl saw Napoleon continue his campaigns against the Hapsburg emperors of Austria. The culmination of this bowl was Napoleon's capture and imprisonment of the Roman pontiff himself. Napoleon's work having been completed sees him removed from the scene. The great impediment to Israel's return and restoration was the Ottoman Empire. The sixth bowl was poured upon this eastern Islamic power - symbolised in the drying up of the river Euphrates. This began around the early 1800s and was finished by the end of World War I. The frog-like message that emerged from the French Revolution was the death knell for the old colonial empires and saw a surge of nationalism. The same spirit is evident today in the Arab Spring. The final outworking of nationalism will be a bringing of Armageddon and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ to establish the one empire to last forever - the kingdom of God on earthverses Daniel 2verses44-45. These frog-like spirits emerge from the dragon (eastern Europe United under Russia); the Beast i.e. United Western Europe; and the false prophet - the pope. Interestingly the European Union was created in 1956 by the Treaty of Rome.
Armageddon is the battle of the Lord GOD Almighty in the land of Israel. It is described at length in Ezekiel 38 and Joel 3 (which is the source of the coined Hebrew word "Armageddon" meaning a bundle of sheaves in a valley for threshing, or judgment). The 16th chapter concludes with the pouring out of the final bowl of judgment on Rome itself - called Great Babylon. Having punished those nations which supported the Beast (of chapter 17) Rome will next heavily feel the Almighty's vengeance for her evils.
Chapters 17-19 give greater details of these judgements and the reasons for which they will be meted out.
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[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).
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]In Job chapter 35 Elihu condemns Job. If we wonder about whether Elihu is a brash upstart, or whether he is a faithful younger man whose speech demonstrates the wisdom of God - this chapter provides us with the answer to that puzzle. And the answer is that the second statement represents Elihu's character.
Every accusation against Job, which Elihu makes, is endorsed by the Almighty in His final speeches. Elihu contests that whether you're right, or whether you sin, God is no way advantaged. However, the LORD is pleased with children whose pleasure it is to please Him. You, Job, he says must see that you are just an insignificant speck of dust. The creature cries out because of pain and suffering, but so infrequently turns to God for His love and support (Romans 8verses18-25). Surely God made us to be more than brute beasts (Ecclesiastes 3verses17-22). Job, wake up to yourself and order your speech aright before your Sovereign. In order to put things in their true perspective, for Job and his friends, in chapter 36 Elihu extols the virtues and might of our Creator. Be patient and listen, Elihu urges them. I will speak in truth and wisdom he declares. It is not the intention of the Almighty to inflict endless sufferings on the wicked (see Hebrews 12verses5-11). He is, in His wisdom, crying to the sons of men, "Repent, turn to Me and be saved". Don't go to the grave in anger and vexation. It's so easy to judge the wicked and at the same time fail to see our own failures. Learn from failure and in all things praise and thank the Almighty. Consider the magnificence of His wisdom - all creation shouts, "In wisdom You have made us".
Zechariah 11 commences by speaking of the doom of Yahweh's flock to slaughter. Their deplorable national state was due in large measure to the callous negligence and indifference of the shepherds of the returned flock of exiles. This is a recurrent theme in both Testaments of the Bible. It contrasts markedly with the love of God, the true and caring Shepherd and His Son, who was moved by the same loving kindness (Psalm 23; Psalm 80; Mark 6verses34). God gave his people shepherd-kings to lead them to their Almighty Father - Moses was such a one; so too was David (Psalm 78verses70-72). But apathy and self- interest caused the nation's shepherds to become mere hirelings in contrast to their Sovereign's true care for His people (Ezekiel 34; John 10verses1-18). The chapter commenced with a lament for the ruin of the glorious cedars of Lebanon; likewise, the destruction of God's nation and Land of Israel - known as, "the
glory of all lands". The shepherds from Jordan's jungle would be caused to wail the ruination that they had brought to their nation. The nation, too, were guilty because they were happy to tolerate the false teachers; as chapter 4 verse 14 of Hosea says, "a people without understanding shall come to ruin" (ESV). In verse 7 of Zechariah 11 the prophet was instructed to take 2 staves - one named, Beauty; and the other, Bands; and with these Yahweh brought chastisement upon the false shepherds. These words have their prophetic fulfilment when the Jewish leaders, having condemned and smitten the Christ Shepherd, was condemned and smitten by the Jewish felt the wrath of God Almighty in the aftermath of those events when judgment fell upon the guilty in 70 AD. We note in verse 13 the betrayal price of 30 pieces of silver. These, says verse 13, prophetically anticipate Judas Iscariot's actions in casting to, i.e. for, the potter, possibly as payment for the potter's field. The end of the chapter tells us that the union, or covenant, that the Lord GOD had made with His people was severed and they now must feel His anger.
The only leaders they now had were blind and disabled and would be removed when the nation was taken into captivity in 70 AD. Let's show the love and care of the Good Shepherd who guides us.
In chapter 12 of Revelation, we are taken back to the start of the accession of Constantine to the Roman throne. Some religious leaders use this 12th chapter of the Apocalypse to assert that there was war in heaven between the angels of God and Satan, which resulted in the expulsion of Satan and his angels to a subterranean location beneath the earth. The chapter proves no such thing. 1) from Revelation 1verses1 the events were from John's time forward; 2) most of the symbolism has been used and explained earlier in the book; 3) if a supposed supernatural being deceived the Omniscient Creator (then God cannot be Omniscient); 4) the segment in question makes it abundantly clear that the vision is symbolic - verses 1, 3 use the term "sign" ESV ("wonder" KJV) and the Greek word used means precisely "a representation".;
5) literal war couldn't occur in a place about which Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy will be done on earth, as in heaven" (Matthew 6verses10). The heavily pregnant woman was the church about to give birth to its champion, Constantine. The dragon was the old pagan Roman power who was engaged in a life and death struggle with the emerging Trinitarian faction within the Christian power. But the Christians triumphed - Constantine claimed to have seen a vision of a cross and to have heard the words, "in this sign you will conquer". His entire army marched against the pagans with freshly painted crosses on their shields. As we saw in chapter 11 the dominant faction within the Christians were trinitarian and sought the destruction of all dissenters. Those protesting the error of the trinitarian Catholic Church - a n early sign of what would arise during the Reformation - fled to the extremities of the Empire seeking respite. However, the defeated forces of the pagan Roman generals made a concerted and valiant attempt to overthrow the believers in Christ. But in this endeavour the pagans failed. Ironically the nominal Christians under Constantine assumed the mantle of the destroyers of true and faithful believers and became themselves the Satan, or opponent, to the true disciples of Christ. Revelation 13 describes the changing centre of persecution as history outworked itself in the course of interactions between church and state. The various beasts of Revelation 13 all share the character of 4th dreadful beast of Daniel 7 - the Romish persecutors of faithful believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Initially John beheld a beast rise out of the sea (the Mediterranean Sea where he was exiled). The Beast described in verses 1-4 is a composite beast with elements from the beasts of Daniel 7. John sees this Beast being given what appeared to be a mortal wound. This occurred when the gothic kingdom of Odoacer took Rome 476 AD to 535 AD - but the 6th imperial head of Rome was revived with support from the eastern leg capital of Constantinople firstly by Emperor Justinian in the 530s AD and later by Emperor Phocus 609 AD. Both these rulers said that the supreme pontiff of the church was the bishop of Rome. As the eastern Empire crumbled, just as the Roman centre had done, the popes looked for support in the west and found it in Charlemagne the Emperor of the Franks, who was crowned by the pope on Christmas Day 799 AD. This new Beast was land based and called by the vision which John saw, "the beast of the earth". Both these powers in the east and the west acknowledged the supremacy of Rome's bishop and supported the persecution of the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those saints of Jesus were slain in their millions by the Church of Rome. We are left with no doubts as to the great persecuting apostate power identified numerically as 666 in the last verse of the chapter, which tells us that it is a man's number (the man of sin described in 2 Thessalonians 2). History tells us that Iraneus, the bishop of Antioch stated in 165 AD that it was Lateinos (the Greek numerical value being 666). The official title of the Roman pontiff is, "vicarius filii Dei" (meaning the one who stands in the place of the Son of God - its Roman numeral equivalent is 666. This power is called in the Hebrew, "Romith" (numerical equivalent is 666). Every document signed by the bishop of Rome bears the authority of the Church, "Dux Cleri" (i.e. high priest, and its numerical value is 666). Let us shun the apostate church and as faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ heed the warning
of Revelation 18verses4, "Come out of her my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues" ESV.
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]In Job 34 Elihu asserts that God is, and can only be, just. Elihu uses magnificent poetry, as did Job and his 3 friends, telling us of the folly of assuming that older civilisations were by comparison to the modern age primitive. Elihu asserts that Job's claims are not in accord with the humility, which Job should show when dealing with the Almighty. It is so wrong to challenge God. The LORD in an instant could wipe out all flesh by withdrawing their breath. You wouldn't even dare to talk that way to earthly dignitaries, who come and go in a moment of time; why then protest against God? Yahweh should not be subjected to human interrogation, nor will He answer any who should dare to try. Lay your hand upon your mouth and suffer in silence; and by this show yourself to be wise.
Zechariah 10 deals with Yahweh's restoration of Judah and Israel. The rains had been withheld as the contemporary prophecy of Haggai indicated. Now upon their faithful asking the blessing would be returned. The vanity of both the nation and its leaders had formerly brought judgment upon Yahweh's lost sheep. For the condition the nation found itself in was the responsibility of their shepherds - who had proven themselves to be irresponsible shepherds, who should have known better (for this God would hold them to account). The people of the LORD would be his mighty battle horse. Verse 4 tells us that every good purpose of His people was from their Sovereign. The nation's might before their foes would be irresistible. Yahweh's love and compassion always encompasses His flock. The scattered remnants will be regathered and will bring the Gentiles into submission. From every place which has persecuted and scattered Israel will the Jews be brought to the Land of their fathers. Their Mighty One will empower His chosen family.
In Revelation 10 we have a vision of the Rainbowed Angel, which speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ and his faithful believers going forth in judgment against the nations of the earth. The "little book" of the mighty angel is but small in comparison to the seven sealed scroll, which comprises more than 3,000 years of History and unfulfilled prophecy - by contrast the little book encompasses about 40 years of divine judgments after Armageddon. Small is the book, but intense and powerful is the outpoured and sustained anger. There are contained in the minute scroll seven distinct outpourings - or thunders. But they are not described. The immense angel is standing on both the land (eretz Israel) and the sea (the Gentle nations - see Haggai 2verses21-22; Hebrews 12verses25-29 - to strategically counter the fulfilment of Nebuchadnezzar's image, which only a little earlier been made to stand on its feet. indicating the all- embracing nature of the impact upon all the nations surrounding Israel. The immutability of the determined judgments of the Almighty are symbolically spoken of by the angel's oath on the existence of the Almightyverses please compare with Hebrews 6verses13-20. The declared will of God, as stated by the angel in verse 6, was that "there shall be time no longer"; i.e. the forbearance of the LORD had reached the end, and the time of judgment had come. The servants of God, i.e. faithful Jews and Gentiles will take possession of the earth, as the true seed and heirs to the promise made to Abraham (Romans 4verses13). In verses 8-10 John is commanded to take and eat the scroll that was in the hand of the angel. On eating it John found its taste was as sweet as honey (Isaiah 26verses8-9; Psalm 149verses1-9); since it was right that wickedness should be dealt with. But there was a bitterness within John's belly on ingesting the scroll.
John recoiled when he saw the destruction which came upon his fellow humans - his natural feelings were to be disturbed by human tragedy. Verse 11 indicated that John himself would, together with the other saints of the Lord Jesus Christ, participate in these events; but after that he would have the pleasure of renovating the nations during the times of refreshing (Acts 3verses19-26). Chapter 11 of the book of Revelation addresses a time in History many hundreds of years before the encouraging vision of chapter
10. This chapter outlines the work, slaying and resurrection of the witnesses for the Truth of the Almighty. The witnesses (the Greek word indicates that the ones providing the testimony often died for their witnessing -l the Greek word used is the one from which our English word martyr comes. These men and women faithfully gave their lives to proclaim the truth of the Gospel. There was another responsibility to witness against the error of the great apostasy, which centred around the Church. The book of Revelation is a tale of two cities - Jerusalem speaking of the faithful believers in our Lord Jesus Christ; and Rome
(portrayed as the mystical, or secret, Babylon). This message will be unravelled in subsequent chapters. After the opening of the seventh seal and the sounding of the seventh trumpet occurred Constantine ascended to the Roman heavens to take power. Persecution immediately broke forth on the group which opposed this new Roman pontiff. The trinitarians had triumphed and the time had now arrived to wreak havoc upon their Unitarian opponents. These were driven from the seat of power into the wings i.e. extremities of the Empire and the faithful were slaughtered at every opportunity. God would visit judgment upon the apostate power of Rome - remember the word apostasy speaks of a falling away from truth to error. The word used of "apostasy" has a numerical value of 666 (more will be said on this in the notes on chapter 13). God has never left Himself without a witness as the Apostle Paul said in Pisidian Antioch. Verse 3 tells us that the witness for the truth against the false Church teaching was for a period of 1,260 days (or years in prophetic language; where a day is put for a year e.g. Ezekiel 4verses5). If we take the starting point of the prophecy from Constantine's accession to the throne, then the terminal year is 1572 AD - when tens of thousands of Huguenots were slaughtered in Paris at the command of the pope. That time is known in history as the Massacre of St Bartholomew's Day. And this event signalled wholesale slaughter of that group of witnesses until 1685 when a Huguenot became king and revoked the edict of Nantes which had sanctioned the destruction of these protestors. Their bodies were said to lay exposed in the street, or broadway i.e. of Paris - France being the first son of the Church - for 3.5 days; prophetic of the 105-year interval after which they are said to come to life again during the French Revolution of 1789- 1792. At this time, they brought vengeance upon their enemies, as they ascended to heaven i.e. assumed power within France. Their enemies were terrified and 7,000 nobles and clergy were decapitated by the guillotine. The other group of witnesses were those who fought the apostates with clubs. They are termed in Revelation 11 - the earth. Historically they were known as the Circumcellions. The chapter finishes with the seventh trumpeter declaring that this event was a precursor to the time of Christ's kingdom being established on earth at his second coming (2 Timothy 4verses1). Read verses 14-19 aloud slowly and pause and ponder. Revelation 11verses15 is captured in Handel's oratorio Messiah. Compare this passage with what is revealed in Daniel 2verses35-45. This honour have all his saints (Psalm 149verses9).
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Job 31 contains Job's final appeal to his 3 friends and Elihu witnessing the entire proceedings from the beginning without participating in the exchanges. The chapter begins with Job speaking of his moral uprightness with respect to not being led astray by his eyes in relation to young women. This has always been a problem for men. Men of rectitude try to follow our Lord Jesus Christ's advice in Matthew 5verses27-30. This is not so for the greater part of the world, which thrives on pornography. Job, like Joseph in Egypt, understood that everything we do is seen by the Almighty. Job declares that if he is speaking falsely of this matter then his wife ought to be looked upon and inappropriately seduced by other men. Job declares that any wrong he could be accused of should be a matter to be considered by the judges. Job was always just and fair with his servants. At all times he recognised and responded to the plight of the needy. The accused servant of the LORD particularly mentions his care for the fatherless and the widows (see James 1verses27). Job coveted no material goods; nor was he deluded by any vanity, or sense of self-worth. Job never gloated, nor rejoiced, when calamity overtook his foes. At all times he was hospitable. This wise upright man never cheated anyone and always paid in full what was owed. In chapter 32 Elihu finally speaks. He has been an observer for the entire time. Elihu didn't enter the contest because of his youth. I would suggest that Elihu may have been Moses, who had fled from Egypt to escape the anger of Pharaoh; and he is at the youngest and at least 40 years of age; and possibly, and depending on the timing of the book, as much as 80 years old. He starts with a scathing rebuke on the 3 older friends of Job. Although aged people are often presumed wise Elihu says that the friends have spoken unwisely, and have not at all listened to Job's defence. I have waited for my turn patiently and can wait no longer, he says. My judgment will, unlike that of you his 3 friends, be totally impartial.
Zechariah 8 gives us a beautiful picture of a Jerusalem - whose name means "frame, or city of peace". The chapter portrays a Jerusalem at rest, and blessed by Messiah's tranquil rule. What a contrast to the city we now see. Zion will be the head, as the metropolis, of the Lord Jesus Christ's kingdom embracing all nations in the rejuvenated and new earth, as fulfilling the terms of the promise made to Abraham (Genesis 12verses1-3; Romans 4verses13; Jeremiah 3verses15-17). The chastisement of the LORD has passed and Zion's time to be favoured is in its ascendancy (Psalm 102verses13). No longer is the city the scene of war and hostility; it is rather a haven for children and elderly citizens. And the city which had so often been the place of treachery and falsity toward its God, will be become a haven for justice, mercy and truth. The economic hardships of the present citizens would be reversed on their returning to their LORD. This prosperity would be magnified in Messiah's kingdom. The way to blessings is revealed in verse 16 - i.e. to speak truth to one another (Paul says the same in Ephesians 4verses25). To behave uprightly towards each other; hating everything that is false in word and deed, as verse 17 declares. Read verses 20-23 aloud slowly, and pause and ponder. These verses speak of the elevated status of the Jew in Messiah's kingdom. What a contrast to the current despised position of Jews.
As a result of the door being opened in the new political heavens at the end of Revelation 4 John sees the Lamb enthroned in chapter 5. John sees in heaven the Lamb seated with a scroll in his hands and John wept because none could be found to open the seven sealed scroll. An angel instructs him to weep not for the Lamb has overcome, and the Lamb alone, from among the inhabitants of earth and heaven, can open that scroll. The scroll is the Word of God, one of the Lamb's titles as Revelation 19verses13 tells us. The book i.e. the Revelation centres on the Lamb; but, in fact the whole Bible revolves around the Lord Jesus Christ and without him is meaningless, as Psalm 40 and Hebrews 10 tell us. Jesus Christ alone is righteous and without him salvation is impossible. The seals will, as the remainder of Revelation indicates, be revealed sequentially - the 7 seals will progress to 7 trumpets, and the 7 trumpets to the 7 vials (or bowls) of judgment; these to the 7 thunders, whose details remain secret. But the once slain Lamb of chapter 5 becomes a mighty conquering lion from the tribe of Judah from whose origins our Lord came (Micah 5verses1-2). Seated with the Lamb are his saints, the 24 elders. These elders praise, extol and worship the Lamb for his vanquishing of sin and death - firstly in himself and as a result of that, for them. In chapter 6 the seals are open one by one. Six seals are opened in chapter 6. The book is to be understood as a continuous historical account of the events that occurred in the lives of the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ from the time of the book's writing, 96 AD, until the end of Christ's kingdom, which will come soon. We are told in Revelation 1verses1 that this is the basis of the book's interpretation. Seal 1
deals with the victory gained by the gospel message of Christ over paganism in the Roman world. The period of the first seal is between AD 96-183 during the Pax Romanus, or Rome's peace. Then comes the second seal - the second horse being red speaks of blood shedding, the end of peace in the Empire and was from AD 183, when Commodus rose to Emperor, until AD 211. This time is described in verses 3-4. In the third seal - i.e. the third horse - was from 212 AD until 235 AD when great famine spread through the Empire. This famine is described in the third seal of verses 5-6. From AD 235-313 widespread violence and disorder was the lot of the Empire - revealed in the fourth deathly coloured horse. The fifth seal was from 303 AD until 311 AD when the followers of Jesus experienced intense physical persecution under the Emperor Diocletian Jupiter. That evil man destroyed as many Christians as he could, attempting to eradicate Christianity. This seal occupies verses 9-12. From 312 AD until 324 the Empire convulsed in self-destruction and civil war until the accession of the first "Christian" Emperor, Constantine. But despite all of these trying times the believers in the Lord Jesus were being led by their Shepherd King towards the blessed Zion that we considered in our Zechariah 8 vision.
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]In chapters 29 and 30 Job summarised his defence to his friends; before making his final appeal in chapter 31. In the opening verses of chapter 29 Job reflected on former years when everything was well and then all blessed him, including the Almighty. He reminisces about his lost family. As well as the message, let us enjoy the majestic and poetic language in this part of Scripture. At that time all strata within his society were in awe of him, and showed their respect in his presence. The poor and the disabled blessed his care and charity. He was the protector of the oppressed and the vanquisher of all those who sought self-advancement at the cost of the downtrodden. People waited for his words of
wisdom and acted upon his counsel. Chapter 30 muses on the sad and sorry state he was in now. The young, who were not suitable enough to look after Job's dogs, disdained and scorned him. The lazy sloths of the past now looked down on Job. That rabble made up hurtful ditties and songs about the once respected elder. In addition, the mental torment from which Job suffered was made worse by his intense physical struggles. Any cry for support was met by ignoring him, or, even worse, by turning their backs on him. Job tells of his pain and exclusion from human company. The wild animals were his companions and their doleful cries his music.
Additional comment re Job 30 reading Dec 22.
- There is a striking similarity between the state In which Job finds himself - as described in Job 30 - and the state of Jesus on the cross. For exampleverses
1. Job 30verses1 - Job is had "in derision" cp Matt 27verses39 - Jesus was reviled, jeered at.
2. Job 30verses10 - vile men spat in Job's face cp Matt 27verses30 - "they spat upon" Jesus.
3. Job 30verses13 - Job says that his enemies "promote my calamity" cp Matt 27verses42 - they mocked Jesus saying " himself he cannot save."
4. Job 30verses16 - "my soul is poured out upon me" cp Isa 53verses12 - "he (Jesus) has poured out his soul to death".
5. Through Job we have an insight into the potential feelings in the day of his crucifixion of the ultimate "man of sorrows" who was "despised and rejected of men" (Isa 53) and "acquainted with grief”. We are again reminded that we can "see Christ on every page" in the Old Testament. Job was clearly one of the many characters who were typical of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verses 1-8 of Zechariah 6 describe the 4 chariots, which came from between the two bronze mountains speaking respectively of the powers to the north and south of Judah, who would fight over the Holy Land. The chariots spoke of the judgements of the LORD to come upon the oppressors of God's people. Red, black, white and dappled horses were the driving force of Yahweh's cherubic chariots; compare the 4 horses of Revelation 6. The 4 winds have their apocalyptic counterparts in Revelation 7. The second vision tells of the placing of the crown on the head of Joshua the High Priest. This assigned to him the role of the King-Priest - i.e. our Lord Jesus Christ. Compare this vision with the extended parable relating to Melchizedek in Hebrews chapters 5-7. Verses 9 to 15 explain the vision. The prophet is told that this
King-Priest's title is "the Branch" (see our notes on chapter 3verses8). This man would, like our coming King- Priest, Jesus Christ, build the Temple. Christ's Temple will be the house of worship for all nations as Zechariah 14 proclaims. All nations will, as Isaiah tells us, assist in the building of that house.
Zechariah's 7th chapter is a call, from the prophet, for justice and mercy - the two preeminent attributes of our Sovereign (Exodus 34verses5-7; Romans 11verses22-23). A delegation came from Bethel to Jerusalem enquiring about the LORD's attitude to the fasts they were observing. The fasting related to the earlier capturing of the city wall and then of its final destruction together with the nation and its Temple (see Ezekiel 21verses25-27). God, through the prophet, tells them that their fasting was only self-promotion and had nothing to do with the worship of and respect for their Sovereign. The delegation was told to render the justice of mercy and truth. For those wanting a fruitful source of study notice how frequently mercy and truth occur together in the Scriptures; or another way of coupling is of justice and mercy. The Hebrew word for Truth is "Eduth" (see Isaiah 65verses16 where God is described as the God of the Amen). The word for mercy is "Chesed", or the LORD's "loving kindness". But the people of God had experienced chastisement for the failure to respond to the Almighty's entreaties. A failure to listen to God will result in a failure of God in listening to them (see Proverbs 1verses20-33; 28verses9). Consequently, punishments were the inevitable consequences of their actions.
Revelation 3 is our Lord's timeless message of warning, advice and essential attitudinal changes were required of the 3 of the 7 Turkish ecclesias Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. The first had to realise that the reputation Sardis once enjoyed was gone and they needed to wake up, repent and get back to their roots. Philadelphia, alone of the ecclesias received no condemnation, but rather they are encouraged to remain steadfast. On the other hand, the wealthy Laodicea was pitifully ignorant of their true state and needed to open the door of their hearts to the soon to be returned and door-knocking Lord Jesus Christ. Chapter 4 presents the Christ ruling with his saints in glory. The chapter is an invitation for the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, to ascend into the political heavens through the open door and rule upon the earth.
This is an encouraging vision of the kingdom on which we will elaborate on in tomorrows' comments.
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]In Job 28 the reply to Bildad continues and the chapter poses the question, "Where can we find wisdom?" Wisdom we know comes from the Almighty and is exclusively His and those who learn from Him through His Word (Proverbs 1verses1-7; it begins with "the fear of Yahweh”; Proverbs 3verses1-27). Precious metals are found in veins within the earth. Job outlines the effort and labour humans are prepared to expend seeking precious goods. No beast or bird can find wisdom's path. Why is it that we are so dull in perceiving that which truly enriches. Our efforts seeking the LORD's wisdom are puny. Yet with that wisdom alone there is no accompanying sorrow (Proverbs frequently tells us). Nothing of material wealth, which man can
find, can be compared with divine wisdom ("choqma" superior wisdom). Only God can reveal it to those who are humble (Isaiah 57verses15; 66verses1-2).
Zechariah 4 contains the vision of the golden Lampstand with 7 branches described in detail in Exodus 37verses27-34 and emblematic of Israel being the light giver to all nations of the world. It also speaks of the role of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to illuminate those dwelling in the darkness of death's shadow - 1 Peter 2verses1-10. The bowls contained the reservoir of golden oil obtained by the labour of the saints.
Despite the littleness of Judah Yahweh would through His spirit Word, active in His people, accomplish marvellous things (verse 6 compare also John 6verses63). And through the anti-typical shoot from Babylon, our Lord Jesus Christ, would shout, "Grace" for all among the nations who would believe (Isaiah 28verses15-16).
The work commenced by the Servant of the LORD would also be finished by him (also Philippians 2verses12- 18). Let none of us despise God's work, for though it appears small it will amount to grandeur. The seven lamps also signify Yahweh's omniscience. He sees and controls, through His angels, all that happens in this earth. The two olive trees emptying themselves into the bowls of the candelabra speak of faithful Jews and Gentiles. They themselves are described as, "sons of oil”, the work and the workings of the Almighty. Chapter 5 tells of the vision of the flying scroll. The dimensions of the scroll are the same as those of the Holy Place within the Tabernacle in which the 7 branched Lampstand stood. It symbolised the going forth of the word of the LORD, firstly to Israel and then, via them, to the entire world. But it is said by the prophet to be the going forth of a "curse". The Law blessed those who walked in its precepts, and cursed those who forsook its testimonies (Deuteronomy 27 and 28). Israel had become apostate and had abandoned the Truth of their Sustainer. Verse 4 tells us that in its corrupt form it was at home with the thief and the liar, whose house must fall. The angel talking with the prophet says that it speaks of the progress of iniquity (cp 2 Thessalonians 2verses1-11). It was firstly found within the basket of an ephah in measure, speaking of the covetousness of Israel and using religion as a means of gain. This so disturbed the Lord Jesus Christ in the first century. The letting loose of this apostasy was restrained by a talent of lead being placed on the baskets lid. A talent approximately equalling the weight of a man; likewise, was the mystery of iniquity forestalled in the early years of Christianity. Then the chapter describes the two unclean stork-like women, Aholah and Aholibamah of Ezekiel's time - Israel and Judah - and the carrying away of the basket. The basket was taken to the plain of Shinar i.e. the enemies' tooth - to Babylon, where it found a permanent home. Babylon speaks of Rome, as the book of Revelation amplifies. There we see the apostate church and its Pope established at St Peter's in the Vatican City.
We are told in 2 Timothy 3verses16 that "all Scripture has been breathed out by God". This includes the book of Revelation which is known in the Greek as 'the Apocalypse'. It was as its first verse tells us given to the Lord Jesus Christ by his Father who showed our Lord the matters "revealed" in that book. But having received those wonderful matters Jesus 'reveals' those matters via his angel through John the Apostle to all believers. In Revelation we have the only book in the Bible directly given to believers by the Lord Jesus Christ (1verses1) and encompassing blessings on the diligent readers (v3). It contains letters of advice in chapters 2-3 from the Lord which are portrayed in the opening vision of 1verses9-20,. Each of the seven ecclesias in Turkey are told what's wrong with their attitude, and also they receive commendation for their successes. The 7 letters all emphasise faithful works that are necessary to please our Father and His Son. These works are seen in the faithful lives of His children as they strive to walk to the Father's kingdom guided daily by the energy drawn from the love of the Father and His Son and given to us through the Word of the Almighty. From this amalgam of instructions, we are to be both warned and encouraged; in order for us to, like our Lord 'overcome' the world (2verses26-27) and so be blessed to inherit the Kingdom.
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]In Job 25 we have Bildad's third round of argument. His contention is the impossibility of humans being righteous before the Almighty. And at one level this is absolutely true. There is none righteous, no not one (Romans 3verses9-11); but the same chapter in Romans tells of a righteousness from God. Remember, we were already told, in the 1st chapter of the book, that Job was an upright man - 1verses1. Bildad's reckoning was still coming from the viewpoint that since Job was suffering, it was because of Job's evil deeds.
Bildad speaks of the immense power of our Sovereign. God's armies are beyond man's capacity to challenge. The heavenly bodies of the moon and stars, he argues are flawed. And the least of the Creator's works is this maggot called man. Job's reply in chapter 26 is to firstly acknowledge the magnitude of the Almighty's power. And that it's beyond man's reach to understand. In verses 2-4 Job tells of his aid to the needy and asks his friends to examine themselves by way of comparison. Then Job majestically outlines the wondrous might and activities of his Creator. Yahweh controls the wind, the sea and the waves in their circuits. And we frail humans just perceive a whisper of His grandeur. Job continues in chapter 27 by stating that, despite his suffering, he will steadfastly cling to his integrity. The suffering servant contends that the Almighty has removed Job's natural rights. Verse 3 tells us that our life is dependent on the spirit of the Almighty, being present in our nostrils and sustaining our breath. Man has no immortal soul. No matter what befalls me in life, Job says, I will remain steadfast. The LORD's suffering servant invites his friends to look at the flourishing of the wicked and their families too in verses 13-17. What we receive in life is not necessarily a reflection of our relationship to our Sovereign. But ultimately the wicked will be removed from the earth (Psalm 37verses1-11 read slowly. Pause and ponder.)
Chapters 2 and 3 of Zechariah contain the next two visions, which were both relevant in the prophet's era and symbolic of the kingdom age under the Lord Jesus Christ. The measuring line of chapter 2 speaks of the restoration of Jerusalem subsequent to the judgement that would soon overtake it. But, given the fact that the exiles had returned, and were in the process of rebuilding, it has to incorporate a future Messianic application. Verse 4 speaks of the future blessing of a peaceful and restored Zion. Verse 5 tells us that the pillar of fire which protected the fleeing Israelites at the time of the Exodus - symbolising God's presence - will once again defend and glorify His nation shortly. Let the nations, who have in the past attacked Israel and will once more do so in the near future, know that anyone touching God's people is irritating the pupil of His eye. The daughter of Zion will, verse 10, rejoice when Yahweh in the person of His Son permanently dwells in Jerusalem (Joel 3verses17-21; Isaiah 2verses1-4; 52; Jeremiah 3verses17; Zechariah 14verses8 to the end). The vision concludes with a command to maintain reverential awe and silence before the Omnipotent Creator (see Habakkuk 2verses20). Chapter 3 is the vision of Joshua the high priest in filthy clothes working in the rebuilding of Zion's ruins. It is precisely what Jesus our Lord did. He partook of our fallen
nature in order to restore and save us (Hebrews 2verses14-18). The high priest was opposed by the Samaritans, as was our Lord by the Jewish rulers and the antagonistic burden of the human nature which he bore. But having faithfully completed the assigned work the Son of God is now seen clothed with glorious immortality (Psalm 45verses1-8). Joshua fulfilled this type by way of this enacted parable. Those that stood by were the angelic host whose nature was that of the Father and which our Lord now has having vanquished sin and death. This too is our hope as Luke 20verses35-36 informs us. In verse 6 of Zechariah 3 Joshua is charged to continue walking in the ways of God, in order that he might forever dwell in Yahweh's courts as Psalm 23verses6 promised. The seven eyes of the vision speak of the LORD's omniscience - nothing can be hidden from our All-seeing God. And the engraved signet speaks of the "character" (the Greek word for engraving of a seal which is used in Hebrews 1verses1-5) of the incomparable Son of God. And through the work God accomplished in His Son sin has been taken away by the offering of our Lord Jesus.
Jude tells us that he is the brother of James. In James' letter he says to us that he is the Lord Jesus Christ's brother (actually half-brother - for Mary was their mother see Mark 3verses31-35; and 6verses3). Joseph was the father of James and Jude. Mary was, contrary to orthodox teaching, not a perpetual virgin. After Jesus was born Joseph had a normal marital relationship with Mary (see Matthew 1verses23-25) and had an additional 3 sons and at least 2 unnamed daughters. Unlike his siblings Jesus was conceived by the power of God - the Holy Spirit (Luke 1verses30-35). The letter of Jude deals with the same issues as 2 Peter 2 - the problems created by the false teachers. The letter was written about 65 AD, by which time the departures in teaching from the true faith were multiplying. Jude had set out with the purpose of writing a letter to encourage his readers in their shared faith. But due to the pressing problems created by the errorists Jude was diverted to write about the need to continue in the faith and to strenuously resist the errorists. Verses 3-16 tell us that there will always be opposition from false brethren. Jude cites 5 Scriptural historical examples. These demonstrate God's dealings with the false leaders and, inferentially show the same point as 2 Peter 2 i.e. that Yahweh knows how to preserve and deliver the righteous. The first example was from the time of the wilderness wanderings, when Korah, Dathan and Abiram attempted to usurp the authority of Moses and Aaron. Numbers 16 gives details of that rebellion. The second example is the destruction of Sodom and deliverance of righteous Lot found in Genesis 19. The third example is that of the insatiable covetousness of Balaam, which not only destroyed himself but, also, many Israelites at the border of the Promised Land. These events are outlined in Numbers chapters 22-25. Example 4 related to the Samaritan opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and is outlined in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The Samaritans falsely claimed a religious affinity with the God of Israel and they contended with chosen people. The 5th example is that of powerful and blasphemous Lamech in his attempt to eradicate Enoch. Genesis 4 shows us that only 7 generations from Adam wicked and godless men were opposing the way of God. Note in the AV that "ungodly" is used 7 times. Contrast Psalm 1, which in the Hebrew Bible is attributed to Enoch. Read aloud slowly. Pause and ponder. Verses 12-13 are a series of metaphors which expose the uselessness and dangers of all false teachers. The chapter concludes with a call to stand steadfast for the faith. The events overtaking the ecclesias had been prophesied by the Apostles. Scripture was being fulfilled before their eyes. Their part was to continue to faithfully follow their Lord Jesus Christ. So too must we. Any who become defiled by the influence of the false teachers are like a stick in the fire that needs to be swiftly plucked from the fire and extinguished. Let's pause and slowly read aloud and ponder the closing doxology of verses 24-25, "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." ESV
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Job's reply to Eliphaz' accusations is found in chapters 23 and 24, where Job asks, "Where is God when the righteous need Him?". Job remains downcast because of his health and the constant carping criticism of his friends. These verbal attacks have, Job says, become unbearable. If only I could talk with God and find some answers. Job seeks for a mediator who could take his cause to the Almighty. Job saw himself in an impossible position and needing the "goel" (near kinsman to be his 'daysman'). Job knew that in being tried he would eventually emerge as purified gold (see Malachi 3verses3). Job was confident that he had lived an upright life before his Maker. The righteousness and rectitude of God was awesome to Job. Let us show the same profound respect to the Almighty.
Zechariah was, together with Haggai, the prophet Yahweh had stirred up in 519-517 BC to encourage the returned exiles to resume the rebuilding of the Temple. Zechariah's name means "Yahweh has remembered" i.e. His covenant with His people the seed of Abraham. The fathers of the exiled had been chastised for turning away from their Sovereign. The theme is similar to that of Haggai, which is "Consider (or set your heart to thinking of) your ways (experiences). Learn from what you have experienced.
Zechariah's message is expressed in 1verses3-6, "Return to me ... be not like your fathers". The first vision of the prophet is found in chapter 1 verses 7-17 and is, "The vision of the Horseman". The first horseman was on a red horse, since he had executed Yahweh's judgments in the earth; just like the second horseman in Revelation 6 was red as he had copiously shed blood. There were in Zechariah's opening vision white- and sorrel-coloured horses. The man among the myrtle trees, which trees commonly bloomed at the Feast of Booths - Tabernacles - and were used during the feast - was the angel of the LORD (verse 11). This festival was held in the 7th month. The first vision began on the 8th month so the myrtles were in full bloom and the feast had recently been kept. The man, who is the subject of the prophecy, is the Lord Jesus Christ and his saints - fellow believers. The vision is of the kingdom age of which Isaiah declares, "When Thy judgments are in the earth, then will the inhabitants learn righteousness" (26verses9). This is why the earth in the vision is said to be at rest and quiet. For 70 years the nation of Judah had experienced the chastising hand of God. Zion, Jerusalem, had been her Husband's bride. Yahweh had shown great zeal (jealousy) for His bride just as Christ is for his bride - we believers. 2 Corinthians 11verses1-6, which verses tell us the same message. The prophet Zechariah says that the nations who had brought God's punishment on Judah had been overzealous in performing this recompense. So, the Almighty would punish those nations, such as Babylon, which had fallen to the Persian power a mere 20 years earlier. But now Judah's God had shown His people mercy, favour and compassion. The LORD has begun to do in our time (Psalm 102verses13-16). The measuring line of restoration and rebuilding will in the near future be stretched over Jerusalem, as it was in the prophet's days. Chapter 1verses18-21 outlines the second vision of the 4 horns and the 4 craftsmen - once again the use of cherubic symbols speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ and those believing in him. The horns speak of a destroying power that will be unleashed against the enemies of the LORD. These horns will wreak judgement upon the evils of this world (see Acts 17verses30-31), Israel's king will through these craftsmen rebuild this earth and fashion it to the honour and glory of the Lord God Almighty. In a 3-volume exposition of the book of Revelation a Christadelphian author, by the name of John Thomas, showed in volume 1 that the symbolism of Revelation can only be understood by a consistent application of those symbols in the Old Testament.
He also said that the prophecy of Zechariah contains more of these symbols than any other OT writing.
2nd and 3rd John are short personal letters written fairly close to each other, around 95-96 AD. The first of these letters being to a beloved friend termed "the elect (or chosen by God) lady". The aged Apostle had a deep love for this sister because of her hospitality and faithfulness. His salutations of, "Grace, mercy and peace" come from a mature faith and are the same as those of the Apostle Paul to Timothy and Titus; the so called "Pastoral letters". Verses 4-11 express John's great joy that this wonderful sister's children had
chosen to walk in the Truth. John reiterates the new command, "to walk in love"; frequently spoken of in his gospel account and first letter. He also warns of the false teachers (antichrists) mentioned at length in his first letter. The woman and her faithful family - the ecclesia - must abide in the true teaching of the Father and His Beloved Son. Anyone walking contrary to that Truth, in behaviour or doctrine, was to be
forbidden the fellowship of the saints. John's final greetings, of verses 12-13, express his hope of catching up with the elect lady face to face, rather than through a letter. 3rd John was written to a friend who had often been the old Apostle's host - Gaius - who was deeply "loved in the Lord". This brother was a Thessalonian, who had been converted to the Truth by the Apostle Paul. Verses 5-12 speak of the supporters of ecclesial work and others who were the opponents - the enemies of the Faith. Gaius and those like him had shown great hospitality to visitors, who have preached the Gospel. Support for such workers was commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ when he sent forth the 72 in Luke 10. Those of us who cannot personally go into the mission fields have a responsibility to support both in prayer and financially those who undertake the Great Commission i.e. the taking the Gospel to the world (Matthew 28). John says that those who do so have become fellow helpers of the Truth. The Apostle warns his readers of being a puffed up, self-important errorist, who not only dragged down the faithful, but would take an aggressive stand against all who, like the Apostle John, would take a stand for truth and moral uprightness. Don't be imitators of the evil, but only of the true (see Ephesians 5verses1-21). In his final greetings the Apostle speaks of his desire to spend time with the faithful ecclesia with Gaius in a face-to- face context, rather than via letter. Peace will be with the faithful.
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