“And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:2
This prophetic vision given to John leaves no doubt as to the identity of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. That “old serpent” (literally, “that primeval serpent”) who deceived our first parents into rebelling against the Word of God, is none other than the devil, or Satan, often viewed in Scripture as typified by a “great dragon” (Rev. 12:9), the fearsome animal of ancient times; probably the dinosaur.
His ultimate doom is sure - he will be bound a thousand years, then finally “was thrown into the lake of fire...tormented day and night forever and ever” (Rev. 20:10). At present, however, he is not bound, for “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). We must be sober and vigilant, “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11).
His devices are manifold, but all are deceptive - he was the most “crafty” of all God’s creatures (Gen. 3:1), malevolent, and designed to turn us away from the true Christ. “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3).
He is the great deceiver. He can appear as a fire-breathing dragon or a roaring lion, deceiving us into fearing and obeying him instead of God. “For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14), deceiving us into trusting the “false words” of his “false teachers” (2 Pet. 2:3, 1) instead of the Holy Scriptures of the God of creation. Our recourse against his deceptions is to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Friday, November 15, 2013
Too Difficult for the Lord?
“Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Genesis 18:14
This rhetorical question posed to Abraham by the Lord was in response to Sarah’s doubts concerning His promise that they would have a son. It would, indeed, require a biological miracle, for both were much too old for this to happen otherwise. With God, however, all things are possible, and He can, and will, fulfill every promise, even if a miracle is required.
This same rhetorical question was asked of the prophet Jeremiah. “Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, ‘Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?’” (Jer. 32:26-27). The One Who created all flesh, Who raises up kings and puts them down, could surely fulfill His promise to restore Israel to its homeland when the set time was come.
But Jeremiah had already confessed his faith in God’s omnipotence. “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You” (Jer. 32:17). The God Who called the mighty universe into being would not fail to keep His promise and fulfill His will.
Actually, the word translated “difficult” in these verses is more commonly rendered “wonderful,” or “marvelous,” or an equivalent adjective, referring usually to something miraculous that could only be accomplished by God. For example: “He wrought wonders before their father in the land of Egypt” (Psalm 78:12). “For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God” (Psalm 86:10). The first occurrence of the word (Hebrew: “pala”), however, is in our text for today.
There is nothing - nothing - too hard for the Lord, and we should never doubt His Word!
This rhetorical question posed to Abraham by the Lord was in response to Sarah’s doubts concerning His promise that they would have a son. It would, indeed, require a biological miracle, for both were much too old for this to happen otherwise. With God, however, all things are possible, and He can, and will, fulfill every promise, even if a miracle is required.
This same rhetorical question was asked of the prophet Jeremiah. “Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, ‘Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?’” (Jer. 32:26-27). The One Who created all flesh, Who raises up kings and puts them down, could surely fulfill His promise to restore Israel to its homeland when the set time was come.
But Jeremiah had already confessed his faith in God’s omnipotence. “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You” (Jer. 32:17). The God Who called the mighty universe into being would not fail to keep His promise and fulfill His will.
Actually, the word translated “difficult” in these verses is more commonly rendered “wonderful,” or “marvelous,” or an equivalent adjective, referring usually to something miraculous that could only be accomplished by God. For example: “He wrought wonders before their father in the land of Egypt” (Psalm 78:12). “For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God” (Psalm 86:10). The first occurrence of the word (Hebrew: “pala”), however, is in our text for today.
There is nothing - nothing - too hard for the Lord, and we should never doubt His Word!
Thursday, November 14, 2013
When God Repents
“Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.” 1 Samuel 15:29
There are a number of Scriptures that speak of God repenting. For example, in the days before the great flood - “The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth” (Gen. 6:6). In the same chapter containing our text, God said: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands” (1 Sam. 15:11). Yet the Scriptures plainly teach that God changes not. “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent” (Num. 23:19). Bible critics have made much of this apparent “contradiction” in the Bible.
There is no contradiction, of course. The words translated “repent” in both Old and New Testaments, are used of actions which indicate outwardly that a “change of mind” has occurred inwardly. It is precisely because God does not repent concerning evil, that His actions will change toward man when man truly repents (this human “repentance” can go either way; changing from good to evil, or vice versa), and God will respond accordingly, since He cannot change His own mind toward evil.
Thus, He said concerning national repentance: “if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it” (Jer. 18:8). That is, if the nation truly repents, then God will change His own projected course of action. He seems outwardly to “repent,” specifically because He cannot repent in His inward attitude toward good and evil.
God has greatly blessed America in the past, but America’s people have drastically changed in recent years. Can the time be long coming when God must say: “you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient” (Dan. 5:27)? Our God does not change, and a nation deep in sin can either repent or be judged.
There are a number of Scriptures that speak of God repenting. For example, in the days before the great flood - “The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth” (Gen. 6:6). In the same chapter containing our text, God said: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands” (1 Sam. 15:11). Yet the Scriptures plainly teach that God changes not. “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent” (Num. 23:19). Bible critics have made much of this apparent “contradiction” in the Bible.
There is no contradiction, of course. The words translated “repent” in both Old and New Testaments, are used of actions which indicate outwardly that a “change of mind” has occurred inwardly. It is precisely because God does not repent concerning evil, that His actions will change toward man when man truly repents (this human “repentance” can go either way; changing from good to evil, or vice versa), and God will respond accordingly, since He cannot change His own mind toward evil.
Thus, He said concerning national repentance: “if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it” (Jer. 18:8). That is, if the nation truly repents, then God will change His own projected course of action. He seems outwardly to “repent,” specifically because He cannot repent in His inward attitude toward good and evil.
God has greatly blessed America in the past, but America’s people have drastically changed in recent years. Can the time be long coming when God must say: “you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient” (Dan. 5:27)? Our God does not change, and a nation deep in sin can either repent or be judged.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
A Still, Small Voice
“After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing.” 1 Kings 19:12
Elijah was in hiding for his life, even though God had spectacularly answered his prayer with fire from heaven. Jezebel, however, had not been intimidated by Elijah’s victory and swore she would kill him. He fell into such depression that he wanted to die. If Jezebel could not be impressed with fire from heaven, how could Elijah ever hope to defeat her and her armies? Not even an angel could remove his doubts.
But then was sent “a great and strong wind,” and “after the wind an earthquake” (1 Kings 19:11). But the Lord was not in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire. God finally reached Elijah with “a sound of a gentle blowing” that assured him that God was well in control of all circumstances. Similarly, Moses told the children of Israel, as they faced the Red Sea: “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord” (Ex. 14:13).
It was prophesied of the Lord Jesus that “He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the street.” Nevertheless, it was also promised, “He will not be disheartened or crushed until He has established justice in the earth” (Isaiah 42:2, 4; see also Matt. 12:19).
In our human impatience, we think God should always move immediately in great strength. Unless there are large numbers of converts and displays of power, we grow discouraged, like Elijah. But God more often speaks in a still, small voice and works in a quiet way. “Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you...Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left” (Isaiah 30:18, 21).
Elijah was in hiding for his life, even though God had spectacularly answered his prayer with fire from heaven. Jezebel, however, had not been intimidated by Elijah’s victory and swore she would kill him. He fell into such depression that he wanted to die. If Jezebel could not be impressed with fire from heaven, how could Elijah ever hope to defeat her and her armies? Not even an angel could remove his doubts.
But then was sent “a great and strong wind,” and “after the wind an earthquake” (1 Kings 19:11). But the Lord was not in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire. God finally reached Elijah with “a sound of a gentle blowing” that assured him that God was well in control of all circumstances. Similarly, Moses told the children of Israel, as they faced the Red Sea: “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord” (Ex. 14:13).
It was prophesied of the Lord Jesus that “He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the street.” Nevertheless, it was also promised, “He will not be disheartened or crushed until He has established justice in the earth” (Isaiah 42:2, 4; see also Matt. 12:19).
In our human impatience, we think God should always move immediately in great strength. Unless there are large numbers of converts and displays of power, we grow discouraged, like Elijah. But God more often speaks in a still, small voice and works in a quiet way. “Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you...Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left” (Isaiah 30:18, 21).
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Christ in Suffering and Triumph
“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” Revelation 1:8
In the final book of the Bible occur seven great “I am” assertions by the glorified Christ, all speaking of His ultimate victory. However, in the Book of Psalms occur seven vastly different “I am” statements by Christ, all speaking prophetically of His sufferings. These are in four of the wonderfully fulfilled Messianic psalms, all written 1,000 years before Christ, yet each psalm cited in the New Testament is fulfilled by Christ.
“But I am a worm and not a man” (Psalm 22:6) - comparing Christ to a mother “scarlet worm” who dies that her young may live, and in so doing, gives off a scarlet fluid which protect and nourishes her young.
“I am afflicted and needy” (Psalm 40:17).
“I have become estranged from my brothers” (Psalm 69:8).
“I am so sick” (Psalm 69:20).
“I am afflicted and in pain” (Psalm 69:29).
“I have become like a lonely bird on a housetop” (Psalm 102:7).
“I wither away like grass” (Psalm 102:11).
In contrast to these lonely sufferings of Christ, there are the glories that shall follow. Four of the others proclaim the same great truth (Rev. 1:11, 17; 21:6; 22:13).
The self-existing One, the “I am,” Jehovah, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who created all things (Alpha) will one day triumph and make all things new, forever (Omega). Read the other two wonderful testimonies: “I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore” (Rev. 1:18). “I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (Rev. 22:16).
In the final book of the Bible occur seven great “I am” assertions by the glorified Christ, all speaking of His ultimate victory. However, in the Book of Psalms occur seven vastly different “I am” statements by Christ, all speaking prophetically of His sufferings. These are in four of the wonderfully fulfilled Messianic psalms, all written 1,000 years before Christ, yet each psalm cited in the New Testament is fulfilled by Christ.
“But I am a worm and not a man” (Psalm 22:6) - comparing Christ to a mother “scarlet worm” who dies that her young may live, and in so doing, gives off a scarlet fluid which protect and nourishes her young.
“I am afflicted and needy” (Psalm 40:17).
“I have become estranged from my brothers” (Psalm 69:8).
“I am so sick” (Psalm 69:20).
“I am afflicted and in pain” (Psalm 69:29).
“I have become like a lonely bird on a housetop” (Psalm 102:7).
“I wither away like grass” (Psalm 102:11).
In contrast to these lonely sufferings of Christ, there are the glories that shall follow. Four of the others proclaim the same great truth (Rev. 1:11, 17; 21:6; 22:13).
The self-existing One, the “I am,” Jehovah, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who created all things (Alpha) will one day triumph and make all things new, forever (Omega). Read the other two wonderful testimonies: “I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore” (Rev. 1:18). “I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (Rev. 22:16).
Monday, November 11, 2013
The Sin of the Devil
“Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods; indeed, it was proven when they dealt proudly against the people.”
Exodus 18:11
This is the first mention in the Bible of the sin of pride, and it appropriately refers to the primeval sin of the “gods” - that is, the supposed deities of the heathen.
Led by Satan, a great host of the created angels had rebelled against their Creator, seeking also to be “gods” like Him. Satan (i.e. “adversary”) thought he could become the highest of all. “O star of the morning, son of the dawn!...you said in your heart, ‘I will...raise my throne above the stars of God...I will make myself like the Most High.’ Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit” (Isaiah 14:12-15).
Satan’s sin - and that of the other self-proclaimed “gods” - was that of being “conceited...the condemnation incurred by the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6). But they shall all, with him, eventually “be thrust down to Sheol,” and “into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil” (Matt. 25:41). This was also the sin of Adam and Eve, for Satan had seduced them with the promise, “you will be like God” (Gen. 3:5).
It is also the sin of all humanists and evolutionary pantheists, from Adam’s day to our day, for they seek to do away with God and make “gods” out of “corruptible man.” They have “worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Rom. 1:23, 25).
But “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Prov. 16:18). Our Lord of creation is “greater than all the gods,” even in that “it was proven when they dealt proudly against the people.” The sin of pride was the very first sin and is still the most difficult sin to overcome, but “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).
Exodus 18:11
This is the first mention in the Bible of the sin of pride, and it appropriately refers to the primeval sin of the “gods” - that is, the supposed deities of the heathen.
Led by Satan, a great host of the created angels had rebelled against their Creator, seeking also to be “gods” like Him. Satan (i.e. “adversary”) thought he could become the highest of all. “O star of the morning, son of the dawn!...you said in your heart, ‘I will...raise my throne above the stars of God...I will make myself like the Most High.’ Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit” (Isaiah 14:12-15).
Satan’s sin - and that of the other self-proclaimed “gods” - was that of being “conceited...the condemnation incurred by the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6). But they shall all, with him, eventually “be thrust down to Sheol,” and “into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil” (Matt. 25:41). This was also the sin of Adam and Eve, for Satan had seduced them with the promise, “you will be like God” (Gen. 3:5).
It is also the sin of all humanists and evolutionary pantheists, from Adam’s day to our day, for they seek to do away with God and make “gods” out of “corruptible man.” They have “worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Rom. 1:23, 25).
But “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Prov. 16:18). Our Lord of creation is “greater than all the gods,” even in that “it was proven when they dealt proudly against the people.” The sin of pride was the very first sin and is still the most difficult sin to overcome, but “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Why Did Christ Die?
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
This passage is often considered the defining passage of the gospel, stating the great truth that Christ died for our sins, then was buried (thus stressing that His resurrection was a physical resurrection, not just spiritual), and then rose again. As such, it is interesting that verse 1 which introduces it (“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel”) contains the central mention of the more than 100 times the Greek word for “gospel” occurs in the New Testament.
However, it does not say why Christ died for our sins. It was not just to pay for our salvation and make us happy. There are, in fact, numerous references to His substitutionary death which do give us further insight into just why Christ died for us and our salvation.
For example, “He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Cor. 5:15). And consider Galatians 1:4 in which Paul tells us that Christ “gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age.”
Peter’s testimony and explanation was that, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Pet. 2:24). John said: “He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:10-11).
There are many other verses to the same affect. Christ did not die merely to save our souls, but to empower us to live in a way that would glorify God right here on Earth.
This passage is often considered the defining passage of the gospel, stating the great truth that Christ died for our sins, then was buried (thus stressing that His resurrection was a physical resurrection, not just spiritual), and then rose again. As such, it is interesting that verse 1 which introduces it (“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel”) contains the central mention of the more than 100 times the Greek word for “gospel” occurs in the New Testament.
However, it does not say why Christ died for our sins. It was not just to pay for our salvation and make us happy. There are, in fact, numerous references to His substitutionary death which do give us further insight into just why Christ died for us and our salvation.
For example, “He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Cor. 5:15). And consider Galatians 1:4 in which Paul tells us that Christ “gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age.”
Peter’s testimony and explanation was that, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Pet. 2:24). John said: “He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:10-11).
There are many other verses to the same affect. Christ did not die merely to save our souls, but to empower us to live in a way that would glorify God right here on Earth.
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