26 Pentecost

26 Pentecost - Sunday

Joel 1:1-13, The locust plague

1 Corinthians 14:1-12, Speaking in ecstatic tongues

Matthew 20:1-16 Laborers in the vineyard

Joel was a prophet of Judah in the period of 400-350 B.C.* Israel was being ravaged by a plague of locust. Joel received a word from God and declared it to the people, the remnant of Israel. Joel called the old people of Israel to testify that the locust plague was worse than previous locust plague in Israel’s history, and would be recalled as unprecedented by their children’s’ great grandchildren. The locusts had devoured every living plant.

Joel calls the people to wake from their drunken stupor and mourn. There will be no more wine for them to enjoy. Israel has been conquered by a kingdom of insects, a nation with lion’s teeth. They have ravaged Israel’s, and stripped the fig trees of bark and thrown them down.

Israel is called to mourn like a virgin for the (loss of) the bridegroom of her youth. There is no longer enough grain and wine for cereal and drink offerings to the Lord. The priests and ministers of the land are in mourning. Fields are destroyed; there is no grain, wine or oil. Farmers are properly dismayed at the loss of their crops. As the crops wither and fade, so the joy of the people has departed.

Priests and ministers of the Lord are called to mourn for the loss of means of sacrificial offerings.

Paul was discipling the Corinthian Christians. He taught them to obey the “new” commandment which Jesus gave his disciples (John 13:34-35). Paul was urging them to seek, identify, develop and apply the gifts (abilities; empowerment) of the Holy Spirit. One of the manifestations of the anointing of the Holy Spirit may be ecstatic language, referred to as “speaking in tongues” but, unless someone can understand and interpret it, no one is “built up” by it except perhaps the speaker. In contrast, prophecy builds up, encourages, and consoles the Church. Paul wants Christians to have ecstatic experiences but he wants them to grow spiritually and to be able to proclaim God’s word so that the Church is built up, in fulfillment of Christ’s commission to his disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).

Unless the message is intelligible to those who hear it, it isn’t helpful. Paul makes a comparison to musical instruments that do not play clear, distinct notes. Paul urges Christians seeking a manifestation of the Holy Spirit to seek, develop and use spiritual gifts which build up the Church.

Jesus told a parable about laborers in the vineyard to illustrate the kingdom of heaven and illustrate his comment about the first being last and the last first (Matthew 19:30). A householder went out early in the morning to hire day-laborers for his vineyard. He agreed to hire the laborers for a day’s wages, and sent them into the vineyard. Three hours later he was in the market place and he noticed other laborers standing idle, unemployed, so he hired them to work in the vineyard also, and he promised to pay them fairly. Going by again at the sixth and ninth hours, he found others idle and hired them also, as before. Finally at the eleventh hour, he hired still more unemployed laborers.

At the end of the day he assembled the workers and began to pay them for their work, beginning with the last hired. He gave the last hired a day’s wages, so the first hired thought they would get more, but when they were paid they also got a day’s wages. They grumbled at the owner, complaining that the those that worked only one hour got the same pay as those who had worked all through the heat of the day. But the owner answered that the first hired had agreed to a day’s wage, and that the owner should be allowed to be generous with what belonged to him. Thus the first will be last and the last first.

The locust plague was not only a physical disaster but a spiritual disaster. The people had lost not only their source of food but their means of forgiveness and restoration of fellowship with the Lord through the loss of the means of sacrificial offerings.

God has provided everything we need for full, abundant life, not only physically but spiritually. The physical gifts are temporal, but the spiritual gifts are eternal. Many see and pursue only the physical gifts. We should use this lifetime to seek, develop and learn to use the spiritual gifts. There is a time coming when the physical world will pass away, along with the opportunity and means of forgiveness and restoration to eternal life and fellowship with God. Instead of using this lifetime to accumulate physical resources and build ourselves up physically, we should be seeking and using the spiritual resources we have been given in Jesus Christ for our forgiveness and restoration, and working to build and strengthen the spiritual kingdom of God.

The Lord is our spiritual employer. Unless we’re working for his kingdom we are spiritually idle and unemployed. The Lord has work for everyone who is willing, and the reward for each of us is generous beyond what we deserve; we can’t possibly earn the reward by our own effort. The Lord’s “retirement” benefits are eternal. Are we letting our worldly busyness interfere with our spiritual employment?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, Introduction to Joel, p. 1101, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.

26 Pentecost - Monday

Joel 1:15-2:2, The Day of the Lord is near

Revelation 18:15-24, Destruction of Babylon

Luke 14:12-24, The great banquet

The Day of the Lord will be a calamity, a day of destruction, for the world and worldly people. They will be separated from their sustenance and the joy and gladness of God’s house (family).Crops will fail, cattle and sheep will starve for lack of pasture or silage. Even the wilderness will be destroyed by fire, and wild animals will cry to God because they have no water.

God’s people are to sound the alarm of the coming Day of the Lord, for it is near. It will be a day of clouds, thick darkness and gloom. Like an army, a great plague of locusts, greater than any, before or after, will totally devastate Earth.

“Babylon,” symbol of the worldly kingdom ruled by Satan behind the nominal leaders, will be totally destroyed in the Day of the Lord. Kings, merchants, and mariners who have profited from the trade of her material goods will mourn her destruction. It is they who considered her great. Her worldly wealth and glory will suddenly be destroyed.

But the saints, apostles (messengers of the Gospel) and prophets will rejoice at Babylon’s destruction, because God has rendered his judgment for us and against her. A mighty angel picked up a huge millstone and threw it into the sea, dramatizing the sudden, violent destruction and disappearance of Babylon. Babylon will cease to exist. Her musicians, craftsmen, merchants, and millers will be no more. No more will there be the light of lamps or the joy of weddings within her. Her merchants were once considered the great people of earth. The Gentiles were deceived by her sorceries. Babylon is guilty and accountable to God for the blood of the prophets and saints and all who have been slain on earth.

Jesus had been invited to dinner, and he told his host that, instead of inviting his friends and relatives, he could invite the poor, and physically handicapped, if he truly wanted to do good. Invitations to one’s friends and relatives will be reciprocated, and will not gain any favor with the Lord, but if one invites those who cannot reciprocate, God will be pleased and reward him.

At this, one of the guests said that those who eat bread in the kingdom of God will be blessed. In reply, Jesus told a parable of a man who gave a banquet and invited many. At the appointed time he sent his servants to bring the invited guests. But each began to make some excuse. One had bought a field and wanted to see his property. Another had bought some yokes of oxen and wanted to examine them. One had recently been married and was busy “consummating” the union.

The servant reported to his master that the guests had declined his invitation. The Host was angry, and told his servant to go out into the streets and highways, and invite the poor, handicapped, and homeless. The servant did so, but there was still room at the table, so the servant was sent out again to compel people to come. The host vowed that none of the people who had declined his invitation would have even a taste of his banquet.

On the Day of Judgment worldly people will be separated eternally for divine providence they took for granted in this world, and they will be banished from the joy and gladness of God’s eternal kingdom. In this present world, worldly people take personal credit and personal advantage of the resources God has provided for all. Those who are considered great in this world are those who have taken possession of the most resources. But in the Day of the Lord all those resources will be taken from them and given to the people of God. We have all been created with eternal souls (John 5:28-28); the choice of where we will spend eternity is ours. The only alternative to God’s eternal kingdom is eternal death and destruction in Hell (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right)..

Babylon represents the present worldly kingdom, which will pass away suddenly. The Lord has invited us to his heavenly banquet in his eternal kingdom in heaven. All we have to do is respond to his call and come to him and trust and obey him, but many are preoccupied by the cares and things of this world. Right now worldly goals and interests seem important, but if we allow them to keep us from coming to the Lord’s banquet, we will loose the opportunity to do so later.

When Babylon comes to an end, all those worldly goals and material things we have spent our lives pursuing will no longer exist or matter. The providence of God to supply all our necessities will end, for those who are not in his eternal kingdom, and they will be separated eternally from the joy and blessings of his eternal kingdom. When Babylon comes to an end, where will we go if we haven’t accepted the Lord’s invitation to his heavenly banquet?

26 Pentecost - Tuesday

Joel 2:3-11, Devastation by locusts

Revelation 19:1-10, Praises in heaven

Luke 14:25-35 Conditions of discipleship

The plague of locusts, symbolic of God’s Judgment, will reduce the paradise of this creation to wilderness. God’s judgment is like a powerful army of horses and chariots overrunning the people. Their advance is completely coordinated; no weapons can repel them. They overwhelm the city and homes.

In the Day of the Lord there will be manifestations and disturbances in the heavens; sun, moon and stars will be darkened. The Lord is in complete control of his army; his forces are unequaled; his word is almighty. “The Day of the Lord is great and very terrible; who can endure it” (Joel 2:11c)?

John, probably the Apostle, in exile on the tiny island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea for preaching the Gospel of Jesus, had a revelation from God through Jesus Christ. In this vision he heard the sound of a great multitude in heaven rejoicing for the salvation, power and glory of God. God’s judgments are true and just. God has judged “Babylon” (the symbol of the sinful worldly kingdom behind whose ruler is Satan). Babylon is the harlot who has corrupted earth with spiritual fornication, and has persecuted God’s servants. Babylon has been destroyed by God’s wrath (as were Sodom and Gomorrah; Genesis 19:28), but Babylon’s destruction is eternal.

Surrounding God's throne in heaven were twenty-four elders (representing the twelve patriarchs of Israel and the twelve apostles [the original disciples of Jesus, minus Judas, the betrayer, plus Paul, the first, “post-resurrection,” “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian disciple and apostle]. They fell down and worshiped God, saying “Amen, Hallelujah!” From the throne, God commanded all God’s servants, great and small, who fear (honor and respect him) to praise him.

John heard the voice of a great multitude saying “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus; the sacrificial lamb of Passover) has come, and his bride (the Church) has made herself ready; it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure” Revelation 19:6b-8a). The fine linen of the Bride is the righteous deeds (Ephesians 2:10) of the saints (“born-again” Christians).

The angel who had given this vision to John told him to record, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” The angel assured John that these are God’s true words. John fell at the angel’s feet to worship the angel, but the angel told John not to worship him, because the angel was a fellow servant of God with John and all who hold onto the Gospel of Jesus. We are to worship only God. Jesus’ testimony is the spirit of prophecy.

Jesus told the crowds following him that unless a person loves Jesus so much more than he loves even family that his love for others seems like hate in comparison (a deliberate exaggeration to make the point vivid) he could not be a disciple of Jesus. A disciple of Jesus must be willing to carry his own cross (must be willing to suffer personally for discipleship) or he cannot be Jesus’ disciple. A person planning on building a tower would be wise to consider the cost and whether he can afford it before he begins to build. Similarly, a king facing a battle would be wise to consider whether his forces can prevail over the enemy’s. If not, the king would be well advised to negotiate peace before becoming engaged in battle.

Jesus said that the same principles apply to Christian discipleship. A disciple must be willing to renounce all that he has in this life in order to follow Jesus. Disciples are to be like salt, influencing and changing the world greatly out of proportion to their number and strength. But if disciples cannot be differentiated from the world, they are like salt which has lost its savor. How could they possibly accomplish their intended purpose? They would be totally worthless! Those who are willing to hear spiritual truth should pay attention!

The Lord God, the Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth is in complete control of his creation. This creation is a temporal world; it has a beginning and an end, and it is the Lord who decides when it will end. God’s word has declared that this present creation will pass away, and that there will be a new, eternal creation, a perfect paradise, not subject to sin, pollution and decay, where his people who trust and obey the Lord will live eternally in fellowship with him. Those who refuse to trust and obey him and reject God’s provision for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal death in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in eternal destruction in Hell. Hell is the total absence of everything of God who is totally good and loving, and where everything which is evil, which was introduced into this creation by sinful mankind and caused all the bad things which has corrupted and polluted this temporal creation will be eternally punished and destroyed.

John had a vision given him by God through Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1) of the Final Judgment of this present creation. The Lord alone is the righteous judge who will judge who is spiritually living and who is spiritually dead; who is in Christ by the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit and who is not. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). One can know with certainty for oneself whether or not one is in Christ and has received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).

John’s vision is of the redeemed who have been saved by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9) through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, gathered to the throne of God in the eternal kingdom of heaven, rejoicing in the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The Church is the kingdom of God on earth, and the bride of Christ, who will be united with Christ her Lord forever in his eternal kingdom. Christ is the sacrificial “Lamb” of Passover, whose blood of the sacrifice on the Cross saves us from eternal death and gives us eternal life through his indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the “wedding garment” which cleanses us, causes us to be spiritually “born” (John 3:3, 5-8), enables and empowers us to do righteous deeds which the Lord has appointed for us (Ephesians 2:10), and is our invitation and admission to the marriage supper of the Lamb in his eternal kingdom. The Eucharist (Holy Communion; the Lord’s Supper) is the foretaste and preview of its consummation in the marriage supper in heaven (Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:14-20). “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9b).

Babylon is the worldly kingdom of everyone and everything opposed and contrary to the righteousness and goodness of God. It is the kingdom of all the unforgiven sinful people and the sinful things which caused the corruption and pollution of this temporal creation, and they will be eternally removed from the presence of God, God’s kingdom and God’s people. Babylon, with all those who rejected forgiveness and salvation through obedient trust in Jesus Christ, will be eternally destroyed. All of the blessings and providence which God supplied to both the just and the unjust in this world will be withdrawn from Babylon for all eternity.

In order to receive forgiveness, salvation from eternal death, and restoration to fellowship with God, we must believe (have obedient trust) in Jesus; we must be disciples of Jesus Christ who trust and obey him (John 14:21). Salvation is a free gift we don’t deserve and can’t earn or seize by force or deception, but we must claim and take possession of it by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).

We must be willing to pay whatever discipleship costs in the “currency” of this world. We must be willing to leave family and friends and choose to be Jesus’ disciples. We must be willing to surrender our own will and desires to the Lord’s will and plan for us. We must be willing to endure suffering for the Gospel, because the Gospel is opposed and persecuted by the “Babylon” of this world. We must be willing to surrender worldly possessions and approval, in order to have the Lord’s approval and our eternal inheritance in him.

We must be willing to be “salt” and “light” in an “unsavory” and spiritually darkened world. We must be willing to continue the mission of Christ to bring forgiveness and salvation to the world, illustrated by Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.

God is in complete control of this creation and of eternity. The question is, do we allow him to reign in us and have control of our lives? Are we living in the eternal kingdom of God or in “Babylon?”

26 Pentecost - Wednesday

Joel 2:12-19, Call to repentance

Revelation 19:11-21, Christ’s victory

Luke 15:1-10 Parables of the lost

The coming Day of Judgment is near, but even at this late time it is still possible to repent and return in obedient trust to the Lord, if repentance is sincere and not merely an outward show. Grace (unmerited favor) and mercy (undeserved forgiveness) are God’s nature; he is not easily provoked, he overflows with faithful love, and regrets administering punishment. Who knows? The Lord may yet turn from his anger and bless us with the means of forgiveness and restoration.

Let the trumpet sound the warning to repent with fasting and prayer. Assemble the people; no one is too young or too old, and no human activity, including marriage celebration, can be allowed to take priority over the call to repentance.

Let the ministers of the Lord intercede for the people, that the heritage (the eternal inheritance) of God may not be discredited among the nations and peoples of earth, and so that God may be glorified.

Because of the repentance of his people, God had compassion for them and forgave them. He lifted the plague of locusts from the land and restored the providence of food and drink which had been destroyed by the plague.

John had a vision, from God through Jesus Christ, of the final victory of Christ over Satan and the forces of evil. The rider of the white horse is Jesus Christ, who is faithful and true, the righteous judge, who fights against evil. Christ is described symbolically: his eyes see our innermost thoughts and motives; he is crowned with many crowns because he is the King of kings. Christ’s knowledge surpasses human understanding. He has sanctified (consecrated himself wholly to God’s service) himself by the sprinkling of his own blood at the Cross. He is called the Word of God (John 1:1-5, 14). He commands the armies of heaven, dressed in white (symbol of righteousness). “From his mouth issues a sharp sword (God’s word: Hebrews 4:12) with which to smite the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9); He will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty” (Revelation 19:15).

An angel summoned all the birds of the air to assemble to eat the flesh of all those, great and small, who would be slain by the armies of Christ. The Antichrist and rulers of the worldly kingdoms assembled to fight against the armies of Christ in the Battle of Armageddon. The Antichrist and the false prophet who deceived the people who had accepted the mark of the beast (who cooperated with the wicked worldly kingdom ruled by Satan) and worshiped the beast’s image, were captured, and thrown alive into the lake of fire and molten sulfur. The armies of the Antichrist were slain by the sword of Christ, the word of God, and all the birds of the air were gorged on the flesh of those slain.

Pharisees (strict legalistic Jews) and scribes (teachers of Jewish Law) criticized Jesus for associating with tax collectors (Jewish collaborators with the Roman government) and sinners who were attracted to Jesus’ preaching. So Jesus told them the parable of the lost sheep. A man had one hundred sheep. Who wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness to seek one sheep that had gone astray? When the man found the lost sheep he would carry it back rejoicing. The man would invite his friends and family to rejoice with him over the recovery of the one lost sheep. Likewise, in heaven there will be more rejoicing over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need to repent. Another example is of a woman having ten silver coins. If she looses one, won’t she light a lamp and sweep the house thoroughly until she finds it? And when she finds it she will share the good news and her rejoicing with her friends and neighbors.

The Day of Judgment is near. None of us can be certain that we’ll live to see another day. Even now it is not yet too late to repent and return to obedient trust in God and his word. Now is the Day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). The prophet Joel rightly considered sacrificial offerings to the Lord a blessing from God to the giver (Joel 2:14). God provides the means of our forgiveness and restoration of fellowship with him. God loves us and doesn’t want any of us to perish eternally (John 3:16-17).

Throughout the history of God’s dealing with his people recorded in the Bible, God has shown that he disciplines his people for their own benefit, so that they will learn and grow spiritually and not perish eternally. He has also shown that he is always ready to forgive, restore and bless those who are truly repentant. There has never been a time when the people of this world needed to hear the call to repent and return to obedient trust in the Lord more than right now, particularly in America and also within the nominal “Church.”

Now is the trumpet call, warning people to sincerely repent and return to obedient trust in the Lord. Nothing anyone is doing in this world and this life is more important than heeding and responding to the Lord’s call to repentance and obedient trust in him now.

John’s vision is of Jesus’ triumphant return to make the Final Judgment against the forces of evil (anything contrary to God’s word). Jesus won the victory over Satan and the forces of evil at the Cross (Hebrews 2:14-15), but his victory and judgment will be enforced and carried out at his return. Satan and all who have been deceived and have cooperated with and served Satan’s worldly kingdom (Revelation 19:20), who have rejected and refused to obey God’s word in Jesus Christ, will be delivered and confined to eternal destruction in Hell.

In one sense, the true Church is the army of Christ, clothed in white robes of Christ’s righteousness. We follow Christ, but it is Christ alone who defeats and executes judgment against Evil. In another sense, Christ will return in command of all the supernatural power and authority in Heaven, and no amount of worldly power and authority will be able to withstand and prevent Christ’s return and judgment. The standard by which Christ will conquer and judge the world is the Word of God, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5, 14).

The Pharisees considered themselves righteous by their outward appearance of obedience to God by keeping the Law of Moses. The Law of the Old Covenant, was given to teach us the righteousness God requires, and to show us that we cannot meet the requirements of God’s righteousness in our own human strength (Romans 3:21-25). God’s word declares that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10; sin is disobedience of God’s word) in God’s judgment, and that the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is God’s only provision for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal death (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; See God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar top right). Jesus is the new sacrificial offering God has given us, through whom we receive the blessing of God’s forgiveness, salvation, and personal daily fellowship with our Lord (compare Joel 2:14).

The Pharisees considered themselves among the ninety-nine “righteous” sheep of Jesus’ parable, and not the lost. Because they refused to recognize their “lostness” they rejected the Good Shepherd (Jesus Christ) who came to seek the “lost,” and missed the forgiveness and restoration which is received only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). There is indeed no rejoicing in heaven for those who consider themselves “good” people who don’t need the Savior, Jesus Christ.

26 Pentecost - Thursday

Joel 2:21-27, Restoration

James 1:1-15, Strength through trials

Luke 15:1-2, 11-32 The prodigal son

The prophet predicted the restoration of God’s people following their sincere repentance and return to obedience and trust in the Lord. The land, the beasts and the people of God are called to rejoice and acknowledge the great things God has done for them. God has blessed them so that they would be vindicated in the view of worldly people.

The Lord promises that his abundant providence will again overflow to them, and he “will restore to you the years which the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25a). The plague of locusts was the army of the Lord (to bring about repentance). They will be completely satisfied and praise the Lord for his wonderful blessings. His people will never again be put to shame, and they will know with certainty that the Lord is in their midst and he is their God, with no equal.

The author is unknown, but probably not James, the brother of Jesus. He is writing to Christians scattered throughout the world, the “New Israel,” the “New People of God.” Trials and tribulations can be appreciated as blessings testing and strengthening our faith, in which we can rejoice, as we grow to spiritual maturity. We can ask God for true wisdom, which only comes from God (compare 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 2:6-7), and he will supply it generously and without reproach. “But let him ask in faith with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:6-8).

The humble will be exalted and the rich will be humbled. The life of man is, like grass, quickly fading and unable to withstand heat. The rich (and proud) will pass away like the fading beauty of grass. “Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). It isn’t God who tempts; God is not tempted to evil nor does he tempt anyone to evil. We are tempted by our own selfish, carnal natures. We are enticed by our own desires, which lead us to sin, and sin results in eternal death.

The Pharisees (strict, legalistic Jews) and scribes (teachers of Jewish law) criticized Jesus for associating with tax collectors (Jewish collaborators with the Roman government) and sinners. Jesus answered with the parable (a story which uses common human experiences to convey spiritual truth) of the prodigal son. A man had two sons, and the younger son asked his father to give him his portion of the inheritance. The father divided his inheritance between the two sons, and within a few days the younger son took his possessions and went to another country, where he spent his inheritance in loose living.

When his inheritance was spent, the country had a great famine, and the young son began to experience hunger and want. He became the servant of a hog farmer (the ultimate degradation and humiliation to a Jew), and would have been happy to eat the pods which he was given to feed the pigs, but he wasn’t allowed to eat them.

The young son began to remember how in his father’s house even the servants had plenty to eat, while here the son was starving with hunger. He decided to return to his father’s house to repent of his sin and become one of his father’s servants, since he felt no longer worthy to be his son. But the father saw him coming and ran and embraced and welcomed his son. He gave the young son the best robe and a signet ring (symbolizing authority) and prepared a feast to celebrate his son’s return.

The older son had been in the field (working) and when he returned home he heard the music and rejoicing, and asked one of the servants the reason for the celebration. The servants told him that his younger brother had returned and his father had made a great feast. But the older son was angry and refused to join the celebration. His father came out to beg him to come in, but the oldest son criticized his father for rewarding younger son who had been unfaithful and had squandered his inheritance in debauchery, while never rewarding the older son who had always been faithful and obedient. The father told his older son that he would always be with him and would possess all of his father’s estate, but it is right to celebrate over the return of one who was dead but has been restored to life; the one who was lost and has been found.

The trials and tribulations of life can be understood as blessings from God. Without them, we would not be able to appreciate all that God has done for us. We would not realize how much we need our God, our heavenly Father. God allows the swarming locust to bring us to repentance, but he is also able to restore what we have lost to them. In our deliverance we will know that the Lord is in our midst and that he is God Almighty, and has no equal.

Trials and tribulations help us to grow and be strengthened in faith to spiritual maturity. We can recognize the limitations of our human understanding, and ask God for true, divine wisdom, and he will give it generously. The trials of life are tests of faith to help us grow in faith and trust in the Lord, so that we can receive the reward of eternal life in God’s kingdom in heaven. God doesn’t tempt us to sin; it is our own sinful natures which tempt us to sin, which is doing what is contrary to God’s word, and the penalty for sin is eternal death.

We are all, in a sense, prodigal sons (and daughters) of God the Father. He has given us life in this world and an eternal inheritance, and all of us have squandered that inheritance in our own selfish indulgence. It isn’t until the trials and troubles come that we consider seriously the way we’ve been living and appreciate the blessings of life in our heavenly Father’s house. Only then can we recognize our spiritual hunger and acknowledge that only God can satisfy that hunger, only through his Son, Jesus Christ, the “bread of (eternal) life”(John 6:48-51). God is watching and ready to meet us when we repent and confess our sin, and he will restore us to the life and inheritance we were created for.

True members of God’s house will rejoice at the return of a lost brother or sister. The older son reveals that he is not the son of his Father, although he dwells in the Father’s house, because he doesn’t have the Father’s love for the lost brother. Length of (church) membership does not automatically confer spiritual maturity. The older son didn’t appreciate the blessings of being in his Father’s house. He thought he was entitled to his Father’s blessings, because of his “good deeds,” without acknowledging his shortcomings.

26 Pentecost - Friday

Joel 2:28-3:8, Signs of Judgment Day

James 1:16-27, Doers of the word

Luke 16:1-9, The dishonest steward

The Lord declared through his prophet that there will be a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the people of God.

The Second Coming will be preceded by signs on the earth and in the heavens. The sun will be darkened and the moon will appear turned to blood. Those who call upon the name of the Lord (in worship) will be saved. Those who are saved are those who have responded to the Lord’s call.

The Lord promises that he will restore the fortunes of Judah (the remnant of God’s people) and Jerusalem (the Holy City of God; the Church). The Lord will gather all the nations to the valley of Jehoshaphat (meaning “the Lord judges;” the Kidron Valley; symbolic of the site of God’s final judgment of the enemies of “Israel,” God’s people). The Lord will condemn them for scattering God’s people, dividing their land, and enslaving God’s children for the enemies’ licentious indulgence and debauchery.

The Lord asks the worldly nations if they justify their behavior as payback for what the Lord has done for them. If that is their assertion, they will find that instead the Lord will pay them back swiftly and suddenly for what they truly deserve. It is the rebellious worldly peoples who have taken gold and silver which belonged to the Lord, and have taken God’s riches of this world to adorn their worldly, idolatrous temples. Because the “Philistines” and “Phoenicians,” those who have oppressed God’s people, had sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem into the hands of Greeks (Gentiles; non-Jews; Ezekiel 27:13; Amos 1:6, 9), the Lord will punish them, by selling their children into the power of their enemies, and God will restore his people.

“But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). Those who hear God’s word but do not apply and live by it in their daily lives, are like a person who sees himself in a mirror, and then turns away and immediately forgets what he looked like. Those who hear God’s perfect, liberating law (the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the law of the Spirit; Romans 8:2) and apply it with perseverance, not hearing and then immediately forgetting, but acting on what they have heard and living by it, will be blessed as they act according to God’s word in obedient trust. “Religion” is useless if one doesn’t apply it in his words, his thoughts and his deeds.

Jesus told his disciples a parable of a dishonest steward. His master heard that his steward was wasting his resources, and ordered the steward to give an accounting. The steward realized that he would loose his job and that he was too weak to do physical labor and too proud to beg. So he decided to call each of his Master’s debtors and reduce their debts, so that when he was fired they would be willing to give him room and board. The Master commended his steward for his prudence in providing for the steward’s future. Worldly people are wiser in their worldly lives than are those who claim to be spiritually enlightened. Believers should use their worldly resources to gain God’s approval and thus secure eternal habitation when this earthly life fails.

Joel foretold the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon his people as preceding the Day of Judgment. Before that time only a few individuals, prophets of the Lord, were guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Joel’s prophecy began to be fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21), and will continue until Christ’s return. Those who respond to God’s call in the Gospel to faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ will be “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only Jesus “baptizes” with the Holy Spirit (John 1:32-34), only his disciples who trust and obey him (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

One cannot use the name of Jesus Christ like a password in the Day of Judgment to escape condemnation. Calling on the Lord means worshiping and serving him as our Lord (compare Genesis 4:26; 12:8), and requires a personal relationship with Jesus through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit. The Lord warns that it is not those who call him Lord that will be saved; it is those who do what he commands (Luke 6:46; Matthew 7:21-27).

God has given us life and every good and necessary resource for good life in this creation, and the opportunity for eternal life in the paradise of his eternal kingdom in heaven. This world was created “good” (Genesis 1:31); it is sinful mankind which has caused the injustice and evil in this world. Worldly people blame God for their own wicked behavior. They take for their own what belongs to God, and use it for selfish and wicked purposes. What has God done to deserve their rebellion and disobedience? God allows people the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God in this lifetime, but he will not allow rebellion and disobedience in his eternal kingdom of paradise restored in heaven.

It won’t be those who have heard God’s word who will be saved from eternal condemnation and destruction but instead those who trust and obey God’s word fulfilled and embodied in Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5, 14), who do what Jesus commands. Those who do not live in obedient trust in God’s word are deceiving themselves. They may consider themselves “religious,” “spiritual,” even “Christian,” but a genuine Christian is a “disciple” (Acts 11:26c) who trusts and obeys Jesus and has been “reborn” by the gift of his Holy Spirit within him. It is possible to know with certainty for oneself whether or not one has received the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).

God is our Creator, and he has given us the stewardship of this present world. He is the Master and Owner, whether we acknowledge him or not, and we will answer to him individually and personally for our stewardship of the earth and physical life.

We have been given this lifetime to come to a personal relationship with God (Acts 17:26-27), which is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). God has called us through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We should be using this lifetime to learn to know and do what is pleasing to God, so that we will have an eternal home to go to in the new and perfect creation of God’s kingdom in heaven. We should be using the material blessings, resources, our time and lives to serve, glorify and please the Lord.

26 Pentecost - Saturday

Joel 3:9-17, Judgment on the nations

James 2:1-13, Christian impartiality

Luke 16:10-17 (18) The coming of the kingdom of God

The prophet of the Lord declares the coming final battle between the nations (Gentiles; people of the worldly kingdoms of earth). They are warned to prepare for battle. They are called to assemble in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, the Valley of Decision (the Kidron Valley, east of Jerusalem where Jehoshaphat conquered the alliance of Israel’s enemies, and symbolic of the final battlefield), where the Lord will judge the nations (Jehoshaphat means “the Lord judges).

The wickedness of the worldly kingdoms is ripe and overflowing for judgment. Multitudes of multitudes will receive the Lord’s judgment in the Day of the Lord in the Valley of Decision. There will be signs in the heavens; the sun, moon and stars will be darkened.

The Lord’s voice roars from Zion (Jerusalem; Israel; the Church of God; the heavenly City), shaking the heavens and earth. But the Lord is a refuge and fortress for his people. All the people of earth will know that the Lord is God, who dwells in Zion his holy mountain. Jerusalem, the City of God will be holy (dedicated completely to God’s use and service). Strangers (no one not of the congregation of God’s people) will enter or pass through.

The author of the Letter of James urges Christians not to show partiality toward any individual or group. For example the poor should be given the same welcome and treated with the same respect as the rich or powerful. It is often the poor and week, by worldly standards, who are rich and strong in faith, while it is often the rich and powerful who oppress Christians and oppose the Gospel.

We are commanded to love our neighbors just as we love ourselves, but if we love certain individuals or groups more than others we are guilty of violating the commandment. “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point becomes guilty of all of it” (James 2:10). Although not under the bondage of the Covenant of Law, we should live like those who are bound by the Law. We are freed and enabled to fulfill the Law in love rather than from fear. If we do not show mercy for others we cannot expect to receive it ourselves.

One who demonstrates faithfulness in small matters will be entrusted with greater responsibility, and one who has demonstrated his ability to manage another’s goods can be entrusted with his own. If we have not been faithful to God’s word in managing the temporal resources God has given us, why would we expect him to entrust us with spiritual treasures which are truly and eternally precious. No one can serve two masters; we cannot serve worldly values and God.

The Pharisees loved material wealth and they scoffed at Jesus’ statement that one cannot serve God and pursue worldly success and acclaim. Jesus replied that the Pharisees considered themselves righteous according to worldly standards, but God knows their true condition. What the world approves is contrary to God’s judgment. Jesus declared that the old covenant of law was in effect until John (John the baptizer; who was the herald of the coming of the Messiah). Since then, the gospel of the kingdom of God [the new covenant of grace through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus is in effect], and entering it takes effort and commitment. Heaven and earth will pass away but God’s word will never change.

This world is engaged in a spiritual battle between the kingdom of God and the worldly kingdom ruled by Satan, whose citizens rebel against and disobey God’s word. Jesus Christ (the Messiah; both words mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively) is God’s anointed eternal king and righteous judge, who has promised to return on the Day of Judgment to judge everyone who has ever lived on earth. The worldly kingdom will try to prevent Christ’s return which will result in the Battle of Armageddon, the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy of the final battle and judgment.

The worldly kingdom is ripe and overflowing with wickedness for the Lord’s judgment (condemnation and punishment). He will shake the heavens and the earth. The wicked will be destroyed, but the Lord will be a refuge and fortress for God’s people [“born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian disciples of Jesus Christ]. Every person will know that the Lord is God and dwells in his eternal kingdom with his people who trust and obey Jesus, but it will be too late for those who have rejected Jesus and refused to obey him now, before the Day of Judgment.

The author of James was making disciples and teaching them to trust and obey Jesus, in obedience to Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) given to his disciples to be carried out after they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:45-49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). The worldly attitude is that the rich and powerful are worthy of respect not due the poor and weak. Worldly attitudes are all about partiality, but God shows no partiality. The Lord gives the blessings of his creation to all of us, whether we acknowledge him or not (Matthew 5:45b). It is sinful humans who create inequities in the distribution of those blessings.

The one great commandment summarizing our responsibility to people is the commandment to love others just the same way we love ourselves. Born-again Christians are not under the Old Covenant of Law, provided that they live according to the indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ within them (Romans 8:1-9), but the reign of the Spirit within us will make it possible for us to fulfill the demands of God’s Law, which the Law itself couldn’t accomplish, and we are motivated, no longer by fear of God’s condemnation, but by love for God for his love, grace (unmerited favor) and mercy to us.

Jesus warns us that we cannot serve God and the sinful worldly kingdom. We must decide and commit to serve one or the other. We have to be in the world, but don’t have to live according to worldly standards. We should be taking Godly standards into the world; not bringing worldly standards into the Church, which is God’s kingdom, his Holy City on earth.

We have been given physical life in this temporal world to seek and come to a personal knowledge and relationship with the Lord (Acts 17:26-27). This is our opportunity to learn to trust and obey God’s word fulfilled, embodied and manifested in Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5, 14). God’s intention has always been to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who voluntarily choose to trust and obey him. This world was created “very good” (Genesis 1:31). All the evil in this world has been created by us, through sin (disobedience of God’s word). The Lord allows sin in this temporal world so that we will have free choice whether to obey him or not, but he will not tolerate sin and evil in the paradise of his eternal kingdom, or it wouldn’t be heaven.

We have all been given eternal souls in physical bodies. Eventually our physical bodies will die. If we haven’t been spiritually reborn through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, our souls will spend eternity in hell. Only Jesus gives the gift of the Holy Spirit John 1:32-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey him (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).