Did you know that our friend Joseph has given us the perfect response to the pandemic that COVID-19 has unleashed? No, we do not leave out the “dem” of the description and behave in a panic. Check Genesis 50:20, 21.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21 So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.”
This verse is worth an entire sermon in and of itself. First, look at verse 21. “Do not be afraid,” or “Fear not.” As we face this crisis, we need neither to be afraid nor to let recriminations mark our attitude and response. I am studying the Tabernacle, and if you would like to check it out, go to my Facebook page to find articles on Jesus in the Tabernacle. The point is, that in the picture of the Tabernacle, an unclean priest dared not enter either the Holy Place or the Holy of Holies.
In contrast, a sinner, who has accepted the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins, now is not only allowed to enter this place, but is invited to do so. And that is a glorious prospect. When we pass through the curtain into God’s literal presence, we may do so with confidence and boldness as Hebrews 10:19, 20 proclaims.
Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,
So, even with a looming plague, we have no fear. We can confidently face whatever happens, because God is in control. And that brings us to Joseph.
Quick background, Joseph was hated by his brothers and eventually he was sold as a slave to be taken to Egypt. Now, tune into his comments. “As for you, you meant evil against me....”
Back then, his brothers had intended to “get rid” of this troublesome, tattletale, and irritating younger brother. And, to their way of thinking, their escapade was a resounding success. For over 13 years they heard nothing from him. They had “gotten away” with it, they thought. He was gone.
And the next two words are some of the most astounding and amazing words in the whole Bible. And I love this, “But God....” If you want to get blessed, take a concordance (or online Bible for our current electronically proficient friends) and look up how many times the Bible intones, “But God." (NASB has 44.) Sometimes it was negative. David, our friend, had taken his neighbor’s wife. (Check Command 10) And he had thought that he “gotten away with it.” But God was displeased.
(2 Samuel 11:27)
This was not literally a “But God,” but the idea is there. (That will increase the number of “buts,” but I digress. That led to David’s discipline from the Lord.
This “But God,” is a fantastic revelation. Look at it again. “...but God meant it for good.” What looked like a disaster, (sound familiar?) instead resulted in the salvation and preservation of Jacob’s family, the nation of Israel. Good came out of what at first seemed to be evil. Joseph, and the boys, had to wait 13 years to see the culmination of that. For the record, Joseph seems to have figured it out much sooner, but he did not see the actual culmination for 13 years. And the other guys did not see the “good,” although they evidently suffered from guilty consciences for the 13 years.
And, in the current situation, we are already seeing a lot of “good” that the Lord is bringing through this plague. Many people are hearing about the Lord and turning to Him. And, if the final result is that we are ushered through the curtain into God’s presence, “That will be glory!”
I have determined to no longer say that someone has “passed away.” They didn’t go anywhere. They went into the Presence. I am going to say that they “passed through.” And if there is a question as to what that means, I will have a wonderful opportunity to share about how we can go into God’s presence. And they can too. That will be glory.
And, if like ancient Ninevah, our country hears God’s voice in the message proclaimed by Jonah Corono, we will all turn back to God. And, like Ninevah was spared judgment for over 150 years, we may be preserved. (We know that Jonah prophesied between 793 and 752 BC, during the time of King Jereboam II. Ninevah was destroyed in approximately 612 BC.)
I will not document the sins and atrocities of Ninevah. Needless to say, they were an exceedingly wicked and debauched city and nation. Some of the current events and attitudes that we see in our own country rival those of ancient Ninevah. But God.... (Don’t you just love that statement?” But God is working in this current, world-wide plague. Millions of people were saved during the Spanish flu in 1919. That was history for us. Now we live in the China flu epidemic of 2020.
And we have already begun to hear of many people turning to the Lord. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see a tsunami of belief come roaring out of this “storm?” (Two complementary metaphors.) We can confidently affirm with Joseph, “It was meant for evil, but God meant it for good.” Sounds a little like Romans 8:28.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Look up. See what He is going to do. Once, in the midst of a very trying time, my Mom wrote me, and on the envelope, she had written, “Look up.” What a blessing. Thanks Mom. Look up.
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Little Answers to Prayer Or Little Foxes
Song of Solomon 2:15 has a curious little phrase that has always mystified and captivated me.
“Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom.”
This is Solomon’s bride responding to him. (chapter 1) That chapter is a dialog between the two of them possibly near, or on their “honeymoon.” (If they had such things then.) For those who are not deeply emotional, this is almost embarrassing. But I digress. Interestingly, her identity is never established. She is another “unnamed hero” of the Old Testament. And of the New.
Solomon’s bride asks that the “little foxes” be caught. They are spoiling the vines. Little foxes are cute little guys, but they like to run in between the rows of a vineyard and even make their burrows under the vines, damaging the root system. Grapes, in larger amounts, can be toxic to foxes, but they may eat a few. It is more likely that the threat to the roots of the plants is what concerned the Bride.
“Little foxes” are just cute little problems that are often overlooked or tolerated. (And, sometimes we cuddle them.) “They are so cute!” But these foibles often accumulate or coalesce into gigantic challenges. That is off the topic, in a way, but in another, it is leading us to it. As little problems often mature into major conflicts and even disasters, so little successes lead to greater accomplishments and victories.
Rabbit trail: I was talking to a hall of fame college basketball coach and he was sharing with me some of his basic teachings. Hang on to your proverbial hats. I was blown over by his comments. He instructed his team on how to live outside of basketball. He said that if your life is in order, then your “game” will be in order. (A couple of meanings, there.)
Here is the “hat holder.” He said that the first thing he asked his players in the morning, was, did you make your bed and did you have a good bowel movement. (He may have been a little more graphic, but this is a family publication.) He went on to explain that these two things, and a good breakfast form the foundation of a strong approach to whatever the day may bring. And, by the way, a winning basketball team. “Little foxes.” That wasn’t so far off the track was it?
And “little foxes” can bring good or ill. In a vineyard, they are bad. But if they are out in a field, they can catch rodents and help preserve a crop. Now to our main point.
A common question is “Should we pray for little selfish desires and needs?” And, the answer is, “Of course.” God cares about the number of hairs on your head. He cares for sparrows. (Just for reflection, He also directs roughly six hundred sextillion, or so, stars in their courses. (Six with twenty-three zeros behind it, for the math-challenged. It is a BIG number.)
My wife works in an urgent care clinic. We have had several conversations about whether she should continue to work in light of the China coronavirus. To quit out of fear was not my advice. But friends, and our kids, counseled us, and particularly her to limit exposure opportunities.
I had quoted 2 Timothy 1:7:
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity...
We can trust the Lord to care for us, and the clinic was short-staffed anyway. She was serving the Lord, her employer, and more importantly, the sick people who came for help.
After a “conference video” with the kids, they quoted that verse back to us, read, me. They quoted the entire verse.
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
Don’t you just love it when the kids quote Scripture back to you? Thank You, Lord! “Don’t be afraid,” is stated over 360 times in the Bible. It kind of seems that the Lord is not interested in the emotion of fear being our driving force. Paul called it a spirit of timidity. (KJV translated it “fear.”)
But the kids pressed on. “...but of power and love and discipline.” Again KJV says “a sound mind.” And, the kids expanded, a sound mind, using our common sense, is part of the not being afraid. It is great when they “preach” to me.
Certain classes of the population are cautioned to avoid exposure. “The elderly...” That ain’t me, sputter, sputter. I, uh, well.., maybe. “...those with compromised immune systems or underlying health complications....” I am healthy as a horse. (And sometimes she might think that I smell like one after extreme exertion, like mowing the lawn. But I digress.)
“So, maybe a little older, but of robust, to me anyway, health,” was my analysis. So we prayed for wisdom. On Sunday night we prayed specifically for the Lord to direct us as to how to proceed with the competing priorities, precautions, and motivations in mind.
On Monday morning she called her supervisor to discuss the conundrum. And the supervisor informed my wife that all of the clinics in the chain were being inundated with calls from the public for guidance. In response, the company was going to set up a “call center” of sorts, a health hotline. It would answer the calls and screen them for the correct course of action. This would preserve limited personnel and material resources in the clinics; prevent, to some degree, cross-contamination between those with pressing needs in the clinics, and those who were merely seeking assurance or guidance; and direct everyone in the proper course of action.
If someone has been exposed to the virus, all that they can do is stay home and nurse it through. Unless patients become more seriously ill requiring hospitalization, the best diagnosis is to rest and recuperate. There is no treatment, no magic bullet, and no prevention. All anyone can do, including highly specialized medical facilities, is make the patient comfortable and wait for the immune system to kick into action and literally kick out the virus. (What a miraculous body we have. Can it possibly have developed accidentally? Negative.)
The supervisor told Bev that she would operate a call center in either a closed clinic or a separate room in an operating one. Several clinics will have to close due to staffing deficiencies. So, her continued presence would free some employee who was “less endangered or susceptible” to provide care instead of answering the phone. Side note: On one of her last shifts, over 100 calls were fielded to answer the question, “What should I do?”
Bev will start on her next shift to be trained and man (or is it woman) the phones. Let’s say, “Answer the phones,” and dispense advice.
Little answers to prayer. A “selfish” prayer, if you will. But, remember “counted hairs,” and “accounted for” sparrows. God is not limited to the capabilities of some supercomputer. He can keep up with all of our needs, and those of the entire world. A friend of mine told me that the U of Tennessee has, or is building, the largest, most powerful computer in the world. (Oak Ridge) It is larger than two basketball courts. (Compare that to the computer on your lap.)
El Capitan will clock in at 2 exaflops, quintillion calculations per second, that one was pretty fast. (Math: two with eighteen zeros, we are catching up to God, not) But that bad boy is no match for the 2.5 to 3-pound marvel that sits on your shoulders, between your ears. The human brain can outperform any mechanical device in existence. After all, a brain built it. And, that mobile computer is coupled with an immune system that can overcome all types of infectious invaders. And that is only two of maybe a thousand activities that it can conduct–simultaneously! We are blessed with a perfect repository for our soul. (Not random or accidental.) Thank You, Jesus!
So the Lord answered a selfish prayer, but still left us the option of operating out of an absence of fear, and in power and love and discipline. Praise and thank You, Lord. Amen.
Little foxes add up.
“Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom.”
This is Solomon’s bride responding to him. (chapter 1) That chapter is a dialog between the two of them possibly near, or on their “honeymoon.” (If they had such things then.) For those who are not deeply emotional, this is almost embarrassing. But I digress. Interestingly, her identity is never established. She is another “unnamed hero” of the Old Testament. And of the New.
Solomon’s bride asks that the “little foxes” be caught. They are spoiling the vines. Little foxes are cute little guys, but they like to run in between the rows of a vineyard and even make their burrows under the vines, damaging the root system. Grapes, in larger amounts, can be toxic to foxes, but they may eat a few. It is more likely that the threat to the roots of the plants is what concerned the Bride.
“Little foxes” are just cute little problems that are often overlooked or tolerated. (And, sometimes we cuddle them.) “They are so cute!” But these foibles often accumulate or coalesce into gigantic challenges. That is off the topic, in a way, but in another, it is leading us to it. As little problems often mature into major conflicts and even disasters, so little successes lead to greater accomplishments and victories.
Rabbit trail: I was talking to a hall of fame college basketball coach and he was sharing with me some of his basic teachings. Hang on to your proverbial hats. I was blown over by his comments. He instructed his team on how to live outside of basketball. He said that if your life is in order, then your “game” will be in order. (A couple of meanings, there.)
Here is the “hat holder.” He said that the first thing he asked his players in the morning, was, did you make your bed and did you have a good bowel movement. (He may have been a little more graphic, but this is a family publication.) He went on to explain that these two things, and a good breakfast form the foundation of a strong approach to whatever the day may bring. And, by the way, a winning basketball team. “Little foxes.” That wasn’t so far off the track was it?
And “little foxes” can bring good or ill. In a vineyard, they are bad. But if they are out in a field, they can catch rodents and help preserve a crop. Now to our main point.
A common question is “Should we pray for little selfish desires and needs?” And, the answer is, “Of course.” God cares about the number of hairs on your head. He cares for sparrows. (Just for reflection, He also directs roughly six hundred sextillion, or so, stars in their courses. (Six with twenty-three zeros behind it, for the math-challenged. It is a BIG number.)
My wife works in an urgent care clinic. We have had several conversations about whether she should continue to work in light of the China coronavirus. To quit out of fear was not my advice. But friends, and our kids, counseled us, and particularly her to limit exposure opportunities.
I had quoted 2 Timothy 1:7:
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity...
We can trust the Lord to care for us, and the clinic was short-staffed anyway. She was serving the Lord, her employer, and more importantly, the sick people who came for help.
After a “conference video” with the kids, they quoted that verse back to us, read, me. They quoted the entire verse.
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
Don’t you just love it when the kids quote Scripture back to you? Thank You, Lord! “Don’t be afraid,” is stated over 360 times in the Bible. It kind of seems that the Lord is not interested in the emotion of fear being our driving force. Paul called it a spirit of timidity. (KJV translated it “fear.”)
But the kids pressed on. “...but of power and love and discipline.” Again KJV says “a sound mind.” And, the kids expanded, a sound mind, using our common sense, is part of the not being afraid. It is great when they “preach” to me.
Certain classes of the population are cautioned to avoid exposure. “The elderly...” That ain’t me, sputter, sputter. I, uh, well.., maybe. “...those with compromised immune systems or underlying health complications....” I am healthy as a horse. (And sometimes she might think that I smell like one after extreme exertion, like mowing the lawn. But I digress.)
“So, maybe a little older, but of robust, to me anyway, health,” was my analysis. So we prayed for wisdom. On Sunday night we prayed specifically for the Lord to direct us as to how to proceed with the competing priorities, precautions, and motivations in mind.
On Monday morning she called her supervisor to discuss the conundrum. And the supervisor informed my wife that all of the clinics in the chain were being inundated with calls from the public for guidance. In response, the company was going to set up a “call center” of sorts, a health hotline. It would answer the calls and screen them for the correct course of action. This would preserve limited personnel and material resources in the clinics; prevent, to some degree, cross-contamination between those with pressing needs in the clinics, and those who were merely seeking assurance or guidance; and direct everyone in the proper course of action.
If someone has been exposed to the virus, all that they can do is stay home and nurse it through. Unless patients become more seriously ill requiring hospitalization, the best diagnosis is to rest and recuperate. There is no treatment, no magic bullet, and no prevention. All anyone can do, including highly specialized medical facilities, is make the patient comfortable and wait for the immune system to kick into action and literally kick out the virus. (What a miraculous body we have. Can it possibly have developed accidentally? Negative.)
The supervisor told Bev that she would operate a call center in either a closed clinic or a separate room in an operating one. Several clinics will have to close due to staffing deficiencies. So, her continued presence would free some employee who was “less endangered or susceptible” to provide care instead of answering the phone. Side note: On one of her last shifts, over 100 calls were fielded to answer the question, “What should I do?”
Bev will start on her next shift to be trained and man (or is it woman) the phones. Let’s say, “Answer the phones,” and dispense advice.
Little answers to prayer. A “selfish” prayer, if you will. But, remember “counted hairs,” and “accounted for” sparrows. God is not limited to the capabilities of some supercomputer. He can keep up with all of our needs, and those of the entire world. A friend of mine told me that the U of Tennessee has, or is building, the largest, most powerful computer in the world. (Oak Ridge) It is larger than two basketball courts. (Compare that to the computer on your lap.)
El Capitan will clock in at 2 exaflops, quintillion calculations per second, that one was pretty fast. (Math: two with eighteen zeros, we are catching up to God, not) But that bad boy is no match for the 2.5 to 3-pound marvel that sits on your shoulders, between your ears. The human brain can outperform any mechanical device in existence. After all, a brain built it. And, that mobile computer is coupled with an immune system that can overcome all types of infectious invaders. And that is only two of maybe a thousand activities that it can conduct–simultaneously! We are blessed with a perfect repository for our soul. (Not random or accidental.) Thank You, Jesus!
So the Lord answered a selfish prayer, but still left us the option of operating out of an absence of fear, and in power and love and discipline. Praise and thank You, Lord. Amen.
Little foxes add up.
Saturday, March 21, 2020
John the B The Greatest Prophet
There are times when people suggest that a study of prophecy is a waste of time. “We should just focus on the Gospels to win souls,” is their explanation. Ironically, the Gospels have a significant amount of prophecy imbedded within the story of Jesus and His disciples. Even as He was being presented at the Temple, we find prophecy being pronounced or repeated. Luke 2:25
And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
These two elderly saints made some astounding prophecies. Simeon, first recognized that Jesus was indeed the Promised One, the Messiah. That was backward looking. Then he talked about a light to the Gentiles. Nowhere in Jesus’ earthly ministry did He preach to the Gentiles. But His followers did, from Pentecost (Acts 2) on. But, even more, Simeon mentioned the “glory of Your people, Israel.” That has not happened yet. Simeon was looking to the Millennium.
But that is not all. His final declaration is a summation of the hopes of Israel and the world. (34, 35)
“Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
“The fall and rise of many...” must have been referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Notice the order of the statement. And the rise would be the installation of Israel as His people in the 1000 year reign of Christ. Nothing else in the story fits those two items. But the final coup de grace for Simeon as in v. 35. The “sword” piercing Mary’s own soul/heart clearly refers to a specific detail of the crucifixion. He was not a bad prophet. But wait. Anna, an elderly widow has something to say. Verse 38
At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The “redemption of Jerusalem” is a ways into the future. In fact, we have not yet witnessed that. It will be the seat of Government under the Messiah. We may see an early preview of that right now, but then, it will be the place of the Throne from which the entire world will be governed. I love prophecy.
Now, turn to the one who Jesus described as the greatest prophet. Matthew 11:11 and Luke 7:28 identify him.
I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
We will not exegete this verse. It is just to lead into his prophecy. Luke 3:16
John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
That is clearly referring to Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit was poured out (baptized) the church. Just before this, John made some other astounding prophecies. V. 5, 6
“Every ravine will be filled, And every mountain and hill will be brought low; The crooked will become straight, And the rough roads smooth; 6 And all flesh will see the salvation of God.”
He was quoting Isaiah 57:14; 49:11; 45:2; 42:16; 52:10; and Psalm 98:2, 3. That has not happened yet, but I cannot wait until it is. Glory.
And back to v. 17 in Luke 3.
“His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Now we are really getting ready for a glorious day. I will not speculate as to whether this is the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4), the Glorious coming (Revelation 19), or the final judgment in Revelation 20. Maybe it is all of them.
But John’s piece de resistance in prophecy is found in John 1. Before we look at that, look at verse 21.
They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”
This verse has always puzzled me. It seems like they asked the same thing twice. When they asked about John being Elijah then repeated it as the Prophet, I thought they meant the reference in Malachi 4:5.
“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.”
I thought that this verse was what they were asking, only they did it twice. But I was wrong. The Prophet was the One the Israelites had been expecting since Moses promised. We have to turn back to Deuteronomy 18:18. This is the Lord informing Moses of His plans.
I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
Now that mention of John being the “one going before”makes sense. Luke 3:4
...as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.
Does that give you goose bumps? This is telling the audience, and us, that Jesus is not only the God of the Old Testament, He is also the Messiah. Sadly, it seems that no one, or at least very few understood that. My admiration for John has just gone up several notches.
But his father, Zecharias not bad is not too bad of a prophet, himself. Luke 1:67-79
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant—70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—Salvation from our enemies, And from the hand of all who hate us; 72 To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, 74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. 76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; 77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Amen. The Messiah is coming, and, you will be not “the Prophet” of Deuteronomy, but the prophet of Malachi. Sadly, the Jews did not accept his testimony as the arguments in the book of John illustrates. But for those who did, and those who still do, John’s prophesy is right on. Glory.
What were we talking about? Oh yes. Prophecy, and John the Baptist. Maybe we should call this John the B and his family. The point is that prophecy is the glue that ties the Old and New Testament together. From Genesis 3:15 to the picture of the New Jerusalem and heaven in Revelation, we follow a scarlet prophetic cord. The role of prophecy is to point us to the Savior. And even when it is about a more mundane object, we are still able to use that miscellaneous prediction and its fulfillment as verification and an assurance. Assurance that, just as this one was exactly and completely fulfilled, so shall the ones in the future about Jesus, His return, and His eternal reign on the earth be realized.
And back to our original question about “sticking to the Gospels,” we will not venture into Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. But we have to go clear to Revelation to find a greater volume of prophetic Scripture than we saw earlier and in these three chapters. Jesus is coming again. The entire Bible is dedicated to that scenario. And to that, we respond...
Glory. Hallelujah. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
These two elderly saints made some astounding prophecies. Simeon, first recognized that Jesus was indeed the Promised One, the Messiah. That was backward looking. Then he talked about a light to the Gentiles. Nowhere in Jesus’ earthly ministry did He preach to the Gentiles. But His followers did, from Pentecost (Acts 2) on. But, even more, Simeon mentioned the “glory of Your people, Israel.” That has not happened yet. Simeon was looking to the Millennium.
But that is not all. His final declaration is a summation of the hopes of Israel and the world. (34, 35)
“Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
“The fall and rise of many...” must have been referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Notice the order of the statement. And the rise would be the installation of Israel as His people in the 1000 year reign of Christ. Nothing else in the story fits those two items. But the final coup de grace for Simeon as in v. 35. The “sword” piercing Mary’s own soul/heart clearly refers to a specific detail of the crucifixion. He was not a bad prophet. But wait. Anna, an elderly widow has something to say. Verse 38
At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The “redemption of Jerusalem” is a ways into the future. In fact, we have not yet witnessed that. It will be the seat of Government under the Messiah. We may see an early preview of that right now, but then, it will be the place of the Throne from which the entire world will be governed. I love prophecy.
Now, turn to the one who Jesus described as the greatest prophet. Matthew 11:11 and Luke 7:28 identify him.
I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
We will not exegete this verse. It is just to lead into his prophecy. Luke 3:16
John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
That is clearly referring to Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit was poured out (baptized) the church. Just before this, John made some other astounding prophecies. V. 5, 6
“Every ravine will be filled, And every mountain and hill will be brought low; The crooked will become straight, And the rough roads smooth; 6 And all flesh will see the salvation of God.”
He was quoting Isaiah 57:14; 49:11; 45:2; 42:16; 52:10; and Psalm 98:2, 3. That has not happened yet, but I cannot wait until it is. Glory.
And back to v. 17 in Luke 3.
“His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Now we are really getting ready for a glorious day. I will not speculate as to whether this is the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4), the Glorious coming (Revelation 19), or the final judgment in Revelation 20. Maybe it is all of them.
But John’s piece de resistance in prophecy is found in John 1. Before we look at that, look at verse 21.
They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”
This verse has always puzzled me. It seems like they asked the same thing twice. When they asked about John being Elijah then repeated it as the Prophet, I thought they meant the reference in Malachi 4:5.
“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.”
I thought that this verse was what they were asking, only they did it twice. But I was wrong. The Prophet was the One the Israelites had been expecting since Moses promised. We have to turn back to Deuteronomy 18:18. This is the Lord informing Moses of His plans.
I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
Now that mention of John being the “one going before”makes sense. Luke 3:4
...as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.
Does that give you goose bumps? This is telling the audience, and us, that Jesus is not only the God of the Old Testament, He is also the Messiah. Sadly, it seems that no one, or at least very few understood that. My admiration for John has just gone up several notches.
But his father, Zecharias not bad is not too bad of a prophet, himself. Luke 1:67-79
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant—70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—Salvation from our enemies, And from the hand of all who hate us; 72 To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, 74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. 76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; 77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Amen. The Messiah is coming, and, you will be not “the Prophet” of Deuteronomy, but the prophet of Malachi. Sadly, the Jews did not accept his testimony as the arguments in the book of John illustrates. But for those who did, and those who still do, John’s prophesy is right on. Glory.
What were we talking about? Oh yes. Prophecy, and John the Baptist. Maybe we should call this John the B and his family. The point is that prophecy is the glue that ties the Old and New Testament together. From Genesis 3:15 to the picture of the New Jerusalem and heaven in Revelation, we follow a scarlet prophetic cord. The role of prophecy is to point us to the Savior. And even when it is about a more mundane object, we are still able to use that miscellaneous prediction and its fulfillment as verification and an assurance. Assurance that, just as this one was exactly and completely fulfilled, so shall the ones in the future about Jesus, His return, and His eternal reign on the earth be realized.
And back to our original question about “sticking to the Gospels,” we will not venture into Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. But we have to go clear to Revelation to find a greater volume of prophetic Scripture than we saw earlier and in these three chapters. Jesus is coming again. The entire Bible is dedicated to that scenario. And to that, we respond...
Glory. Hallelujah. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)