3 Advent

3 Advent - Sunday

first posted 12/11/04

Isaiah 13:1-13, Oracle against Babylon
Hebrews 12:18-29, Mount Sinai and Mount Zion contrasted
John 3:22-30 John the Baptist’s further testimony

This is an oracle against Babylon which Isaiah saw: Raise a signal on a hill, cry out to them, motion with your hands to tell them to enter the “gates of the nobles.” The Lord is coming with his angels to destroy the whole earth.” Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come” (Isaiah 13:6). Everyone will feel faint and filled with fear and dismay (compare Luke 21:26).

The Day of the Lord comes with wrath and anger, to desolate the earth and destroy sinners. “For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising and the moon will not shed its light (Compare Matthew 24:29-30). “I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity” (Isaiah 13:11a). The arrogant and ruthless will be humbled. The Lord will make people scarcer than fine gold. The heavens will tremble and the earth will be shaken at the wrath of God on the day of his anger.

When God appeared on Mount Sinai, the people (and even their animals) were forbidden to touch the mountain under penalty of death by stoning. God’s appearance was accompanied by fire, darkness and gloom, tempest, the sound of a trumpet, and a voice (Exodus 19:12-13, 16-19). The experience was so terrifying that the people begged not to hear directly from God, but rather through Moses as mediator (Exodus 20:18-19).

Christians have not come to a relationship with God like that. We come to Mount Zion (the Church of God; the heavenly kingdom) and to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God, to a festival of countless angels, “to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven" (Hebrews 12:23), where God is judge, and where the spirits of the righteous have been made perfect. Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant. The blood of Able condemned us (under the old covenant of law mediated by Moses); The sprinkled blood of Jesus is our salvation (under the new covenant of grace through faith in Jesus).

Take care not to refuse the call of God. The Israelites who disobeyed God did not escape God’s wrath, and neither will we if we refuse to hear God’s Word. God’s voice shook the earth at Mount Sinai; now God has promised one more time to shake not only the earth but also the heavens (Haggai 2:6). What is shaken will be removed so that what remains will be unshakable. “Let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29).

Jesus was in Judah (southern Israel) with his disciples, baptizing, and John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon (central Israel, above Samaria along the Jordan River). John had not yet been imprisoned. John’s disciples got into a discussion with a Jew over the Jewish purification ritual, and they went to John and told him that Jesus, to whom John bore witness (that he was the Messiah), was in Judea baptizing, and that everyone seemed to be going to Jesus for baptism (instead of coming to John).

John told them that one can only receive what has been given him from God. John’s disciples had acknowledged that John had said that he wasn’t the Christ, but had instead been sent ahead to announce Christ. The one with the bride (the Church) is the bridegroom (Jesus); the friend (John) of the bridegroom rejoices at his coming. Likewise John’ joy is complete. John’s role must diminish as Jesus’ role increases.

Babylon represents the kingdom of this world. God has declared a Day of Judgment when he will punish the wicked. It is up his disciples (Christians) to warn the people of this world of the coming day of wrath, and to urge them to enter the gates of salvation through Jesus Christ (the door; John 10:7, 9). Isaiah’s vision is of the Day of Judgment, which Jesus affirmed (Luke 21:26; Matthew 24:29-30). Jesus has promised to return to judge the earth (Matthew 25:31-46). Now is the time to receive Jesus and be saved (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Jesus is the sacrificial offering whose blood cleanses and purifies us from sin. Jesus is our mediator and advocate, who makes peace between ourselves and God. Apart from Jesus, we are like the Israelites before God at Mount Sinai; we are condemned to destruction under God’s law because all have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23).

Jesus is God’s only provision for the forgiveness of our sins (disobedience of God's Word) and our salvation (from eternal condemnation and destruction; Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Those who trust and obey Jesus will receive eternal life in the heavenly Jerusalem (Matthew 25:31-46). We will be in God’s presence without fear of condemnation because we have been cleansed and made perfect by the blood of Jesus through his indwelling Holy Spirit. God has warned of the coming Day of Judgment. God calls us to repent and come to Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. We’re warned not to refuse this call.

John the Baptist was commissioned by God to call people to repent and to turn to Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. His job wasn’t to make followers of himself; his job was to prepare them and point them to Jesus. Likewise, Jesus’ disciples are to call people to repent and to point them to Jesus. We’re not to make others disciples of ourselves; we’re to make disciples of Jesus Christ, who in turn, led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, will make others disciples of Jesus Christ.

How are we doing? Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first 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)?

3 Advent - Monday

first posted 12/12/04

Isaiah 8:16-9:1, Testimony and teaching
2 Peter 1:1-11, Exhortation to holiness
Luke 22:39-53 Jesus betrayed

The testimony (prophecy) and teaching (law) are bound and sealed (like a scroll) among the disciples. The Lord is hiding his face from Israel, but I will wait and hope in the Lord. I (Christ), and the children the Lord has given me, are a sign to Israel. Those who consult mediums and wizards instead of seeking their guidance from the Lord and from the testimony of scripture will not see the dawn; “they will pass through the land distressed and hungry’ (Isaiah 8:21).

They will curse God because of their lack, and will look to the earth for their satisfaction, but will find distress and darkness, gloom and anguish. But there will be no gloom for her that was in anguish (Isaiah 9:1; i.e. the Church). The Lord formerly brought the land of Zebulun and Napthali (the area which later constituted Galilee) into contempt, “but in the latter times he will make glorious the way of the sea, Galilee of the nations” Isaiah 9:1b).

God has given believers everything necessary for (eternal) life and godliness through the knowledge of Jesus who has called us to share in his glory and excellence. He has given to us great and precious promises by which we can escape the corruption which is in the world and share in the divine nature (through the indwelling Holy Spirit).

In order to participate in the divine nature, we are to let faith grow and produce virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love. It is the practice of these virtues which will keep our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ from being ineffective and unfruitful. Anyone who doesn’t practice these virtues is blind and shortsighted, not appreciating the cleansing of his former sins. Believers are urged to confirm that they have received the call and gift of salvation (by applying the gospel to their lives and circumstances), for by so doing they will avoid stumbling and will insure their entrance into the eternal kingdom of Heaven.

After the Passover meal, Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. When he came to the place (Gethsemane; an olive grove) he told his disciples to pray that they might not succumb to temptation, and then he went off a short distance and prayed, “Father if thou art willing, remove this cup (destiny) from me; nevertheless, not my will but thine (God’s will) be done” (Luke 22:42) An angel appeared and gave him strength and encouragement. “And being in great agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground” (Luke 22:44).

Then Jesus rose and came to his disciples and found them sleeping. Again he told them to pray that they might avoid temptation. While Jesus was saying this, a crowd approached, led by Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus’ inner circle. Judas came up to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus called him by name and asked him if he intended to betray Jesus with a kiss.

Jesus’ disciples asked Jesus if they should resist and fight, and one of them struck the High Priest’s slave and cut off his ear. But Jesus told them to stop, and he healed the slave’s ear. Jesus asked the religious leaders who had come out to arrest him if they thought Jesus was a dangerous criminal that they needed to arm themselves with swords and clubs against. Jesus pointed out that they had plenty of opportunity to arrest him publicly in the temple, but that they had chosen to do it instead in the dark and away from public scrutiny.

Because the people refused to listen to him, God sealed his Law and Prophecy among his disciples. It is given to Jesus’ disciples to understand the scriptures (Matthew 3:10-15). It is only when we turn to Jesus in faith that the “veil” preventing our understanding is lifted from our minds so that we can understand the scriptures. Jesus opens the minds of his disciples to understand the scriptures (Luke 24:32, 45).

The Lord will not reveal himself to us until we firmly believe in him. (Hebrews 11:6). When we love Jesus enough that we trust and obey him, he will manifest himself to us (John 14:21). Then he gives us the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:26) Jesus gives the Holy Spirit only to his disciples; those who trust and obey him (Isaiah 42:5e; John 14:15-17).

The Lord wants us to be guided by his Holy Spirit. Those who turn to wizards, mediums, astrologers and other forms of occult practices, or any worldly guide are not being enlightened; they are being blinded and are walking in darkness. The will not see the dawn of the truth of the Gospel or the dawn of eternal life. They will pass through life spiritually empty, and blame God for their lack.

They will look to the things of earth for their satisfaction and discover that those things can never satisfy. But those who endure troubles in this world for the Gospel will have no more gloom. Galilee was regarded with contempt in the time of Jesus' earthly ministry (Acts 2:7), but in Jesus it has been glorified (Matthew 4:13-16 NKJV).

Through Jesus, God gives us everything we need for life and godliness. We have personal knowledge of and fellowship with the Lord and share in the divine nature through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is given to us so that we can grow to spiritual maturity as we walk in obedience to his guidance.

Knowing about Jesus is no substitute for knowing Jesus personally through the gift of his Spirit. Those who think they can claim to believe in Jesus, while not practicing what Jesus teaches, are mistaken! If we have truly received the call and gift of salvation let us demonstrate that truth by applying the Gospel in our lives daily. Only that way can we avoid stumbling and be sure that we will spend eternity in the kingdom of Heaven with the Lord. Disciples are doers of the Word (James 1:22). Faith in Jesus is trust and obedience of him (Matthew 7:21-24; Luke 6:46).

After celebrating the Passover, Jesus knew that his crucifixion was coming, and he had told his disciples several times, but they didn’t seem to grasp what he was telling them. When they went out to Gethsemane, Jesus knew that he would be arrested there and that his suffering would begin. He told his disciples to pray for strength to resist temptation, but they were focused on their physical desire for sleep.

Jesus stifled his human urge of self-preservation and submitted to God’s will in trust and obedience. When he came back to the disciples he found them sleeping instead of doing what he had told them to do. Jesus was going to pay with his life for the salvation of his disciples; couldn’t they have at least kept a prayer vigil for one hour (Matthew 26:40)? Judas pretended to love Jesus and be Jesus’ disciple, while betraying him.

How are we doing? Jesus did the hard work for us; are we willing to spend a little time each day in Bible reading, prayer and meditation so that we will grow spiritually and avoid temptation? If we have a personal knowledge of and fellowship with Jesus, is that confirmed by the testimony of our lives? When Jesus returns, will he find us doing what he told us to do, or will he find us sleeping and indulging our human natures? Are we being guided by the Spirit of the Lord, or by worldly influences? Do we love our Lord enough to trust him and do what he commands, or will we betray him with a kiss?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first 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)?

3 Advent - Tuesday

first posted 12/13/04

Isaiah 9:2-7, Prince of Peace
2 Peter 1:12-21, Peter’s eyewitness to prophecy
Luke 22:54-69 Jesus before Caiaphas

Isaiah foresaw the coming Messiah: People who lived in ignorance and sin will see a great light which will shine upon them and deliver them from their darkness. The Messiah will multiply the nation (of his people) and increase its joy. The people will rejoice before him as they rejoice over a great harvest or as they would over plunder after a great victory. He breaks the yoke of their burden and the staff of their oppressor “as on the day of Midian” (Isaiah 9:4; Midian, forth son of Abraham by Keturah; father of the Midianites; the name means “strife.” The Midianites were utterly destroyed in battle by Gideon on the Plain of Esdraelon, also called the Plain of Jezreel; the possible site of the final battle of Armageddon). Every tramping warrior’s boot and every soldier’s bloody uniform will be burned with fire.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ His government will increase without end. His government and kingdom is established on the throne of David; it will be upheld “with justice and righteousness from this time forth and for evermore” (Isaiah 9:7c). This will be accomplished, because it is the Lord’s great desire.

The author of the second letter of Peter reminds his readers of things which they should already know and believe. He is anticipating his own death and is writing this letter so that these teachings will be available after he has died. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not the cleverly devised myth created by mankind, but is the eyewitness account by those who were present.

Peter was one of the three disciples present with Jesus on the mountain, who witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration (see Luke 9:28-36). Peter and the other two disciples heard the voice from heaven which declared that Jesus was his beloved son. “And we (Peter and the other apostles) have the prophetic word made more sure (having witnessed its fulfillment). You would be wise to pay attention to this (apostolic testimony) as a light in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star (Revelation 22:16 RSV) rises in you hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). “First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

The chief priests, captains of the temple and elders had come with soldiers to Gethsemane to arrest Jesus (Luke 22:47-53; see entry for yesterday, Monday, 3 Advent, odd year). Peter followed behind as they led Jesus away to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest.

In the courtyard of the house the guards lit a fire to warm themselves, and Peter mingled with them. One of the maids saw Peter and said to the others that Peter was one of Jesus’ followers, but Peter told her he didn’t know Jesus. A little later, someone else saw Peter and declared that Peter was a follower of Jesus but Peter said he didn’t know what the person was saying. For the third time someone recognized Peter as a Galilean and a follower of Jesus, and said so, but again Peter denied it, “and immediately, while he (Peter) was speaking, the cock crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter” (Luke 22:60b-61a). Peter realized that he had just fulfilled the Lord’s prophecy concerning Peter’s denial (Luke 22:34), and he left the courtyard and wept bitterly.

Isaiah was inspired by the Holy Spirit to foretell the coming of the Messiah (Hebrew, meaning “anointed;” “Christ” is the Greek equivalent). Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12) which delivers us from the darkness of ignorance, sin, and hopelessness. Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

Jesus breaks the yoke of bondage to sin, and the rod of the oppressor (Satan and Satan’s followers). As Gideon utterly destroyed the armies of the Midianites on the battlefield of Megiddo (Esdralon; Jezreel), so the Lord will defeat his enemies in the Final Battle of Armageddon on the Day of the Lord.

Jesus is the heir to the throne of David and God’s anointed King of Heaven and Earth, whose kingdom is eternal. The first part of Isaiah’s prophecy has been fulfilled: Jesus has come as a baby, and as the Son. He has broken the yoke of sin at the cross by his death and resurrection. The rest of the prophecy is yet to be fulfilled, but it will be, because nothing can prevent God’s will from being fulfilled.

Peter was an eyewitness to the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh, Jesus’ teaching, Jesus’ miracles, and Jesus’ death and resurrection. Peter was an eyewitness to Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain. Peter heard the voice of God, and testified that God declared Jesus God’s Son. Peter tells believers that they should pay close attention to the Apostolic testimony (which is recorded in the scriptures; the New Testament), particularly until they have received the fulfillment of the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Apostolic testimony confirms the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Old Testament. Believers should diligently study both the Old and New Testaments from now until Jesus returns. Prophecy is God’s Word and it needs to be understood according to God’s intention, by his guidance through his indwelling Holy Spirit. Faith is not a matter of believing whatever you want to believe if you believe "hard enough!"

Peter knew firsthand that Jesus’ words are absolutely true and reliable. At the time Jesus said it (Luke 22:34), Peter couldn’t imagine betraying Jesus (Matthew 26:35), but within hours he had fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy exactly. Jesus has promised to return to judge the world, to destroy his enemies, and to bring his disciples to the eternal kingdom of Heaven. Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in Heaven with the Lord, but those who have rejected Jesus and have refused to obey him will receive eternal death and destruction in Hell (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). We can have personal fellowship with the risen Jesus through his indwelling Holy Spirit and we can be eyewitnesses to the truth of the Gospel in the world, if we are willing to be his disciples (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you his disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first 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)?

3 Advent - Wednesday

first posted 12/14/04

Isaiah 9:8-17, Ephraim’s judgment an example
2 Peter 2:1-10a, Warning about False teachers
Mark 1:1-8 John the Baptist

The Lord has declared a word (of judgment) against Jacob (Israel) and it will fall upon Israel (the Northern Kingdom). All the people including Ephraim (part of what became the Province of Samaria in New Testament times) and Samaria (the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel) will know (God’s judgment). They say that their ordinary houses have crumbled, but they will rebuild mansions. “So the Lord raises adversaries against them and stirs up their enemies” (Isaiah 9:11). Israel is attacked by the Philistines on the west and by Syria on the east because the Lord’s anger has not been satisfied.

The people did not turn to the Lord who punished them. So the Lord cut off from Israel the elders, the leaders, and the false prophets, because the leaders lead the people astray and the prophets proclaim lies. “Those who are led by them are swallowed up” (Isaiah 9:16b). For that reason the Lord has no pleasure in their young men and has no compassion for the widow and orphan, because “everyone is godless and an evildoer and everyone speaks folly” (Isaiah 9:17c). So God is still angry and he is still punishing the people.

False prophets and false teachers have arisen and will continue to arise, teaching damaging false doctrines and even denying Jesus, who died for their sins. They will bring God’s judgment upon themselves. Many will follow their licentiousness (lack of restraint, lack of self-discipline) and their behavior will cause Christianity to be reviled. They will exploit believers for their own selfish gain.

God will condemn and destroy them as he has dealt with false prophets in the past. God does not spare the angels when they sin, casting them into hell, and imprisoning them to await judgment. God didn’t spare the ancient world in the days of Noah, but preserved Noah because of his righteousness (Genesis 6:6-8; 8:18). And God saved righteous Lot when he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of his judgment on the ungodly. The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority” (2 Peter 2:9-10).

The Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ begins with the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of a messenger sent to prepare the way of the Lord, calling the people to straighten their paths in obedience to the Lord. John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness and began preaching that people should repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. Everyone in Jerusalem and all Judea was going out to John, and they were baptized by John in the Jordan River.

John wore a camel’s hair robe with a leather belt, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He preached that the Messiah was coming. John was baptizing with water, but the Messiah will baptize with the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17; Acts 1:4-5; Acts Chapter 2).

The Northern Kingdom of Israel repeatedly ignored the prophets’ warning to return to obedience to the Lord. Their punishment by the Lord was intended to restore them to obedience, like a parent’s discipline of a rebellious child. But instead of learning from the Lord’s discipline, they became more rebellious. When punished they didn’t just rebuild what they had before; they pursued bigger and better self-centered objectives.

Israel’s leaders and prophets were leading them astray. Because Israel didn’t learn from the Lord’s discipline, he allowed them to be swallowed up by their enemies. Samaria was conquered in 721 B. C. by the Assyrians. The people were scattered throughout the world and the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom ceased to exist. Isaiah was a prophet of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and what was happening in the Northern Kingdom was intended as a warning also to Judah.

There were false prophets and false teachers throughout the history of Israel, and they have been arising in the Church since its very beginning. There are plenty of examples in the Church today of licentious teaching and of those who exploit believers for personal gain. The Northern Kingdom of Israel suffered because of corrupt political and religious leaders who led them away from obedience to God and into destruction.

Isaiah’s prophecies are fulfilled. The test of whether a prophet is a true prophet of the Lord who truly speaks God’s Word or a false prophet is whether the prophecy is fulfilled and in accord with the Bible (Deuteronomy 13:1-3, 18:22). God’s Word is eternal; just because it is fulfilled once doesn’t mean that it can’t be fulfilled again. In fact, God’s Word will be fulfilled over and over again as conditions of the prophecy are met. John fulfilled God’s call to be the messenger, to prepare for the coming Messiah by calling the people to repent and return to the Lord. John pointed them to Jesus and told the repentant to anticipate the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Judah didn’t learn the lessons of God’s judgment upon the Northern Kingdom. Judah didn’t learn the lesson of their own exile in Babylon, and they were unprepared for the coming of the Messiah. As a result, Judaism effectively ended at the crucifixion of Jesus (Mark 15:38; see entries for Holy Week Sunday through Thursday, even year) the temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., the people were scattered throughout the world and Israel ceased to exist as a nation until it was re-established following World War II. The temple has never been rebuilt.

“Now these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). I believe that the Church and America are in the same position today as that of Judaism and Israel at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The Church is the New Chosen People of God, and America is the New Promised Land (on earth).

Will we learn from Israel’s example, or will we have to learn the hard way by experiencing God’s judgment upon us? Will we heed the call to repentance and be restored to obedience to God in Jesus Christ, or will we choose to pursue our own selfish interests? Will we seek the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit, or will we be misled by corrupt political and religious leaders; false prophets and false teachers?

3 Advent - Thursday

first posted 12/15/04

Isaiah 9:18-10:4, God’s anger is not turned away
2 Peter 2:10b-16, False teachers
Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist

Wickedness burns like a fire through brambles; it rages like a forest fire. So will God’s judgment destroy the wicked! The wicked bite and consume one another; they devour their neighbors (see Galatians 5:15) right and left in their greed and still are not satisfied (Pekahiah, King of the Northern Kingdom, was assassinated and replaced by Pekah, his military commander, during this period. He allied with Syria and attacked Judah. See 2 Kings 15:23-31; 16.5). Because of all this, God’s wrath is not turned aside, and he will punish.

Woe to those who in authority who make wicked decrees, and those who oppress. Woe to those who withhold justice from the needy; who rob the poor and take away their rights; who victimize widows and orphans. What will they do in the Day of Judgment; to whom can they flee; where can they hide their wealth? In that day there will be nothing else they can do but crouch among the condemned and fall among the slain. The Lord’s anger is not turned away and his power to judge and punish is not diminished.

The wicked boldly and willfully revile the righteous, whereas angels refrain from passing judgment on the wicked (see Jude 9-10), but instead leave their condemnation to the Lord. The wicked are like irrational animals, acting according to instinct, reviling what they do not understand. They will receive the just recompense for their deeds.

They pursue their own pleasure and wealth, forsaking morality and righteousness, and have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, a seer who was enticed to do what was evil for profit. Balaam was rebuked by his “dumb” (ignorant and mute) donkey (who knew better than the “great seer” and said so in a human voice; see Numbers 22:5-7; 22 21-31).

John began preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2). John was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of a messenger, a voice crying in the wilderness, calling people to repent and straighten their paths in preparation for the coming Messiah. John was dressed in the garb of the Old Testament prophets, and he lived on what was available in the wilderness: locusts and wild honey.

All the people of Jerusalem, Judea and the surrounding region went out to hear him. They confessed their sins and were baptized in the Jordan River. When John “saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers (poisonous snakes)! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit that befits repentance and do not presume to say to your selves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham ’” (Matthew 3:7-9). John warned that God’s judgment was beginning at that moment, and that how they responded to John’s message would have eternal consequences.

Wickedness is destructive to others and ultimately leads to the eternal destruction of the wicked. Wickedness led to civil war in the Northern Kingdom, and it led ultimately to the obliteration of the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The Lord has pronounced judgment on those in authority who make wicked decrees, those who oppress people, who deprive the needy, who rob the poor, and who victimize widows, orphans and the marginalized of society.

There is a Day of Judgment when all will be accountable to the Lord for what they have done in this life (John 5:28-29). There won’t be any way to avoid God’s judgment, and no way to hang on to the things they have traded their eternal lives to acquire (Matthew 16:26). The Northern Kingdom fell because the leaders pursued their own ambitions instead of seeking to do God’s will.

Those who profit from and enjoy evil will be condemned. Those who prophesy for profit and those who preach what people want to hear will be condemned.

John the Baptist is an example of the faithful prophet and preacher. He preached God’s Word faithfully; he didn’t make any attempt to be popular or to avoid offending the rich and powerful. Paul told Timothy, “For the time is coming when people will not endure (tolerate) sound teaching, but having “itching ears”, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from the truth and wander into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3). Are we seeking God’s truth, or do we just want our ears tickled?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first 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)?

3 Advent - Friday

first posted 12/16/04

Isaiah 10:5-19, The rod of God’s anger
2 Peter 2:17-22, Waterless springs
Matthew 11:2-15 John the Baptist

Assyria was the rod of God’s anger; God sent Assyria against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, a godless nation and the people of God’s wrath (since Israel didn’t heed the prophets and refused to obey the Lord). God allowed Assyria to plunder Israel and trod down its people. Assyria was not aware of God’s purpose; it is just Assyria’s nature to destroy.

Assyria was arrogant, boasting that his commanders were kings. Calno, Carchemish, Hamath, Arpad and Damascus were cities in Syria which resisted the westward advance of Assyria, during the 8th century B.C. These had fallen to Tiglath-Pileser III and Samaria had offered no greater resistance. To the Assyrians, the Lord was just one of many idols. The gods of the other kingdoms he had conquered were no obstacle; and he expected none from Jerusalem.

“When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the arrogant boasting of the king of Assyria and his haughty pride” (Isaiah 10:12). Assyria boasted that it was his own strength and wisdom that had given him victory over these kingdoms. He boasted that he had moved boundaries (Assyria transplanted subjugated peoples to subdue them). Assyria boasted that he had gathered the wealth of the kingdoms he conquered, as one would rob a nest of eggs, without the flutter of a wing or a chirp of resistance.

The Lord declared that Assyria’s boasting was like that of an axe exalting itself over the one who wields it. The Lord will punish Assyria with a wasting sickness and burning. “The light of Israel (John 8:12) will become a fire and his Holy One a flame; and it will burn and devour the thorns and brambles of Assyria in one day” (Isaiah 10:17). The Lord will destroy Assyria's forests and fruitful land, both soul and body, like a sick man wasting away. There will be so few trees left of his forests that a small child can count them and write it down.

False prophets and false teachers are waterless springs. They are in darkness (without understanding) and darkness will be their eternal destiny. Making loud foolish boasts they entice new believers with unrestrained immoral passions. They offer the promise of freedom, but the outcome is enslavement; because whatever overcomes a person enslaves him.

If a person has escaped the corruption of the world and then re-submits to it, his last state is worse than the first (Matthew 12:43-45). It would have been better for him to have never known the way of righteousness than to have known it and turned away from it and gone back to disobedience and rebellion. He is like a dog that goes back to his own vomit, or like a pig washed only to go back to wallow in the mud.

John the Baptist had been imprisoned. Hearing about the things Jesus was doing, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he were the Christ or not. Jesus told them to tell John what they heard and saw: sight was being restored to those who were blind, and hearing restored to the deaf; the dead were being raised to life, and the poor were hearing good news. Those who are not offended by Jesus will be blessed.

When John’s disciples left, Jesus asked the crowd, rhetorically, what they had gone out into the wilderness (to John) to see? Surely they hadn’t gone out to see nothing more than a reed shaken by the wind; they hadn’t expected to see someone dressed in fancy clothes. Those who are dressed elegantly are not out in the wilderness; they’re in mansions and palaces. They must have expected to see a prophet, and that is truly what John was, and more than just a prophet.

Jesus declared that John was the fulfillment of prophecy (Malachi 3:1) of a messenger to announce the Messiah’s coming. John is the greatest of those born until the coming of Jesus, and yet the coming of the kingdom of God will facilitate a new standard of greatness. John is the fulfillment of the prophecy of the return of Elijah (Malachi 4:5). If your ears work, use them to listen to what Jesus is saying.

The king of Assyria, Tiglath-Pileser III thought himself and his empire great. He did whatever he pleased; he didn’t fear or acknowledge anyone or any god. But the Lord used him to accomplish God’s purpose, as one wields an axe. Ultimately he will face the Day of Judgment and will receive eternal destruction in the fire of Hell.

Watch out for false prophets and false teachers, who are building personal empires for themselves; who boast and magnify themselves, and entice new believers with false promises of freedom. Watch out for churches that focus on membership, church growth and new buildings, without requiring discipleship; who preach “cheap grace” (salvation as a free gift without requiring obedience and discipleship; without the “Holy Commandment”; 2 Peter 2:21; compare 1 Timothy 6:14; Jude 3-4; see entries for Wednesday, 2 Pentecost, and Saturday, 5 Easter, even years). Believers who have been freed from bondage to sin must thereafter walk in obedience to the Lord; if they return to their former manner of living, they become re-enslaved, and their final condition will be worse than the first.

The kingdom of God has a different standard of greatness than the standard of this world. Jesus is its anointed king, but he didn’t come in fine clothes, he wasn’t born in a palace, he didn’t enter Jerusalem in pomp and display of power, with a great army. Instead he came humble and vulnerable. He was trusting and obedient to God even to the extent of suffering death on the cross.

John the Baptist was humble and obedient to God’s will. John lived in the wilderness on what he could find, and he proclaimed God’s Word even though it brought him into disfavor with the authorities and cost him his freedom and his life. Are we trusting and obeying Jesus or are we trying to be great according to worldly standards?

Jesus is Lord whether we acknowledge him or not. The will of God will be done, whether we consciously submit to and cooperate with it or not. Jesus’ words and deeds declare who he is and demonstrate his authority and legitimacy. John the Baptist’s activity reveal him to be “the Elijah who is to come” before the coming of Messiah.

What we say and do will reveal whether we have believed in Jesus or not (Matthew 7:21-24; Luke 6:46). Our response to Jesus will have eternal consequences for us. Jesus can heal spiritual deafness and spiritual blindness. If we can “hear” what Jesus is saying and “see” what he is doing we will be trusting and obeying him, and he will raise us up from death to eternal life.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 25:31-46)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

3 Advent - Saturday

first posted 12/17/04

Isaiah 10:20-27, A remnant will return
Jude 17-25, Last days
Luke 3:1-9 John the Baptist

After Judah’s punishment, a remnant will remain. The survivors will no longer look to him that smote them (instead of trusting in the Lord, Judah had allied with the Assyrians for protection against attack by the Northern Kingdom in alliance with Syria; see 2 Kings 16:7-9) but will truly trust in the Lord. The remnant will return to the Lord. Destruction of the rest is the righteous judgment of God.

Those who dwell in Zion (Jerusalem) are not to fear the attack of the Assyrians, because Judah’s punishment will be brief, and then the Lord will destroy the Assyrians as when Gideon completely destroyed Midian (the Midianites were utterly destroyed in battle by Gideon on the Plain of Esdraelon, also called the Plain of Jezreel; possible site of the final battle of Armageddon) at the rock of Oreb. The Lord will lift his rod as he did over the sea when he brought Israel out if Egypt (Exodus 14:19-31). On that day his burden will be lifted from their shoulders, and his yoke will be destroyed from their necks.

Jude urges his readers to remember the predictions of the Apostles who warned that scoffers would arise who have not received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit because they are worldly people pursuing worldly passions, who create division within the Church. Believers are urged to hold on and grow in true faith, to pray in accord with the Holy Spirit, to abide in God’s love through trust and obedience (John 14:23), and to wait for our redemption unto eternal life through Jesus Christ (note the reference to the trinity in Jude 20-21).

We should use the time to seek and save the lost, and to lift up and restore the fallen. It is the indwelling Holy Spirit who is able to keep us from falling and to bring us into God’s presence unblemished by sin through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be all glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before time began, now, and eternally, Amen.

In the year 26-27 A.D., Tiberius had been Caesar for 15 years, Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, was ruler of Galilee, and his brother, Philip, was ruler of Ituraea and Trachonitis. Lysanias was ruler of Abilene (near Damascus). Caiaphas was high priest and his father, Annas, was high priest emeritus. “The word of God came to John, the son of Zachariah, in the wilderness” (Luke 3:2); and, throughout the region of the Jordan River, John began preaching repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. This was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 40:3-5) of a messenger in the wilderness calling people to prepare the way for the coming messiah by humbling what is lifted up, straightening what is crooked and smoothing what is rough. All people will see God’s salvation.

John preached to the crowds who came to him, “You brood of vipers (snakes)! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits that befit repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham” (Luke 3:7-9). John announced the beginning of God’s judgment, and declared that each person will be judged according to what he has done (compare John 5:28-29).

Judah had chosen to seek worldly alliance for protection rather than relying on God. As a result her former ally became her oppressor. But the Lord promised that although Judah would undergo punishment, a remnant would survive and become a great people. This prophecy was fulfilled by the Babylonian exile, but God’s word is eternal; it is fulfilled not just once but over and over, as conditions for its fulfillment are met.

Since the coming of Jesus Christ, it is the followers of Jesus who have become the remnant. (But God isn’t finished with the Jews. One can see the fulfillment in the return of the remnant of Jews to Israel following World War II, and there may be a remnant of Jews saved through the Great Tribulation.) Believers are to put their trust in the Lord and not to fear worldly enemies or seek worldly alliances.

The Church has been divided by worldly people who have not been born-again by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Church has often focused on building buildings and recruiting members, instead of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Ministry has become a career choice for some, rather than the call of God. Jude’s advice is to hold onto and grow in true faith. The way to do that is to read the Bible for oneself, and to seek a Bible-believing, Bible-preaching church. Know Jesus’ teachings and live accordingly; seek the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and be guided by him.

John the Baptist heard and responded to God’s call through the Holy Spirit. John’s authority came not from men but from God (Luke 20:1-8), unlike the worldly leaders mentioned by Luke. Religion won’t save us; church membership won’t save us; baptism (by itself) won’t save us; only a personal relationship with Jesus through his indwelling Holy Spirit will save us. John’s message was a call to repent and amend our ways, to bear the fruit of repentance and faith, and to prepare for the coming of the Lord and the Day of Judgment.

Are you ready for Jesus’ return? Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first 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)?