Category: Minor prophets
Who Can Stand?
Scripture reading for December 8: Revelation 6
“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks , “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”” Revelation 6:12-17
John now beheld the opening of the seven seals on the scroll that Jesus Christ, Lion of Judah, had received from God the Father. As He opened each seal in heaven, there were consequences on the earth. This sixth seal brought an earthquake that evidently caused volcanic eruptions that darkened the sun and caused the moon to turn red. The stars began to fall from the sky in an apparent meteor event that shook all on the earth. The sky vanished and every mountain and island was removed from its place! The great shaking of the heavens and earth was now coming to pass. (Haggai 2:21-22, Hebrews 12:26)
These events now happening to those on the earth caused all, small and great to seek shelter. Not only shelter from the shaking and upheaval but shelter from the One seated on the throne and the wrath of the Lamb. These left on earth had rejected the Lamb as their ‘door to heaven’ but were now aware that these events were leading to the ‘great Day’ of God’s wrath. Jesus would have born their wrath if only they had humbly repented and called on His Name. Instead they call to the mountains and rocks to fall on them and hide them when the opportunity was there! Who can stand on that great Day?
Jesus is the One revealing to John these coming events that will one day usher in God’s will and kingdom on earth. As you examine your life, are you confident that God has rescued you from the coming wrath? If you really believe this revelation, what is one thing that you need to do or change?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your revelation of these things to come. It is Your love in Jesus Christ that draws me to repentance and faith in these truths. Open doors for me to share Your great love and mercy through Jesus Christ with those still in the darkness of sin and under sentence of death. Amen.
Wise men still seek Him!
Scripture reading for January 2nd: Matthew 2
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: . .” Matthew 2:1-5
As Matthew shared the events of Jesus’ supernatural birth and early life, he recorded this visit of ‘wise men’ from the east. These were probably elders or religious leaders from the land of Persia. They had been told of the Messiah’s coming by God through their study of the stars and had possibly been exposed to Jewish Scripture through Daniel and the Jews in captivity there. Their world view was being shaped by their history, education, and God’s revelation directly to them. As this ‘Star’ rose and guided them, they came prepared to worship this ‘King’ of the Jews. As they inquired where they might find Him, Jewish religious leaders told them from the prophet Micah, written about five hundred years earlier, that Bethlehem of Judea would be His birthplace. (Micah 5:2)
God is always at work to reach lost people and reveal a new path to know Him. He sent His Son to earth for that purpose. He drew Gentiles to seek Him Who was King of the Jews. He is still working today. When we have our world-view expanded to see His grand plan and offer ourselves to become part of it, a life of worship and joyful expectation results! Wise men still seek Him!
Have you initiated your search for true wisdom? Are you troubled by the revelation of a King Who is worthy of worship? Have you expanded your world-view by receiving understanding through Jesus.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your careful and thorough prophetic instruction concerning Your plan to send Your Son to earth to save lost people. Thank you for including all mankind. Open my eyes today and expand my view of life to include Your plan for a King. Amen.
Jesus ‘pitched His tent’ among us!
Scripture reading for October 29: John 1-2
The Gospel of John, the beloved disciple, is exciting reading. John was the youngest disciple and one of the “sons of thunder” brothers. James and John were evidently very emotional and yet very likable. These brothers were in the inner circle of three in the company of disciples and John was the one resting his head on Jesus’ chest in the famous picture of the Last Supper. John was also the disciple who Jesus asked from the cross to take care of His mother. (John 19:26-27)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; and without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4)
John starts with a revelation of the Son of God! He is the eternal Word! He was with God in the beginning! There is no time in His realm, so there is no beginning from God’s perspective. He always was, is, and will be. The beginning spoken of by John is the beginning of created things. Everything seen and unseen was created by God and by His Word. He is the source and beginning of it all. When we think of how vast and huge the creation is, we are humbled by the power of that Word!
This “Word” became flesh and dwelt among His people! The word for “dwelt” is the same word used to describe the pitching of a tent. He “tabernacled” with His people! This is what God did when Israel was in the desert after Mt. Sinai. Moses was given instructions to build a special tent and furniture as a place for God to dwell in the midst of His people. This tent was called a “tabernacle” where God’s presence marked His people as separate and blessed. No enemy could defeat them as they marched with Him, no sickness could attack, and even clothes and shoes did not wear out! (Nehemiah 9:19-21)
Jesus Christ came to His own people, but they did not receive Him! (John 1:11-12) Most rejected Him and ended up crucifying Him. But to those who would and did receive Him, Jesus gave the power to become children of God! They would be “born again” into God’s family! He would send them the Holy Spirit to live in them and they would become “living tabernacles” of God’s presence! Why not invite Him to be your Savior today and let Him pitch His tent in you!
“Let His blood be on us”
Scripture reading for October 12: Matthew 26-28
Those who have grown up in the church have heard the story of Jesus’ betrayal, trial, and crucifixion many times. This story is a key to our redemption from the ravages of sin because it tells of a Savior Who willingly took our sin and loved us so much that He gave His life for us. No one really took His life from Him; He offered it on our behalf as a part of God’s plan to bring us back to Himself. Today, as we look at this story, I want us to focus on Jesus and His sacrifice for us.
Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot for a mere thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:14-15) Why Judas sold his Master, we are not actually told, except that he belonged to the evil one and was not one of the true disciples. He fulfilled Scripture in Zechariah 11:12-13 that was written about him several hundred years in advance. The Jews sent temple guards to follow Judas to the place where Jesus was praying with His disciples. Judas betrayed his Master with a kiss. Jesus told Judas and his followers to do what they came for and offered no resistance.
He was taken to Caiaphas, the High Priest, and the Sanhedrin, who met early in the morning, to try to find a way to put Jesus to death. (Matthew 27:1) Caiaphas asked Jesus directly if He was the Christ, Son of the living God. Jesus answered “yes” and told him that in the future he would see Jesus seated at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 26:63-64) The council pronounced a death sentence, spit on Him, and struck Him with their fists. His trusted disciples deserted Him and Peter denied Him three times as Jesus had predicted.
Jesus then stood before Pilate, the Roman governor, the only one with authority to put Him to death. Pilate listened to the Jews’ charges and then asked Jesus if He was the king of the Jews. Jesus again answered “yes”. Jesus made no other defense against the charges, to Pilate’s amazement! Pilate had been warned by his wife not to have anything to do with Jesus because of a troubling dream that she had. He tried to get the crowd to release Jesus, but they insisted on having a criminal released and demanded Jesus be crucified.
Pilate symbolically washed his hands of Jesus’ blood and placed the responsibility on the people. They willingly stated: “Let His blood be on us and on our children.” (Matthew 27:25) Ironically, it is the blood of Jesus alone that can cleanse us all from our sin. We all have done that which caused God to take this drastic measure to save us. It is a wonderful act of grace for Jesus to give His blood for the redemption of those who would crucify Him. We who are saved have willingly confessed our sins and asked that “Jesus blood cover us”. May it cover our children too!
Sunday rest and reflection: Jerusalem!
Dear Friends and fellow citizens of Heaven,
Greetings on this day of rest! The beauty of the Christian faith is the rest we have because of God’s grace through the finished work of Jesus Christ! We have been adopted into God’s family and made heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We have been declared righteous and have been justified in God’s sight. We can only rest in what Jesus Christ has provided and dare not add another thing.
As I reflected on the readings this week, I immediately thought of Zechariah’s final discourse on Jerusalem and the importance of this city in the plans and purposes of God. Jerusalem was known as the city of David, the beloved king of Israel, who took the city from the Jebusites. It was there that David made plans to build a house for God and purchased the threshing floor of Araunah for a place of sacrifice. (1st Chronicles 21:18-30) Solomon, David’s son, actually built the temple and Israel enjoyed a time of peace for 40 years during his tenure. (2nd Chronicles 7:1-3) As he dedicated the temple, the glory of the Lord filled the house so that the priests could not enter!
Several hundred years later, God’s people had slipped into idolatry and a shallow religion that brought about their captivity. The beautiful temple of Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonian invaders and God’s people went into captivity. After seventy years, Daniel the prophet read the prophecy of Jeremiah and saw that the time was nearly over and began to pray and fast. (Jeremiah 25:11-12) Jerusalem would be rebuilt and the temple again would stand. Nehemiah and Zerubbabel led the rebuilding efforts and the work went forward. God moved miraculously on the heart of King Cyrus and he supplied the authority and finances.
Prophets Haggai and Zechariah both urged the workers to rebuild the city and temple. God had plans for a greater purpose and glory yet to come! (Haggai 2:9) ( Zechariah 8:1-3) According to Zechariah, Jerusalem would be pivotal for God’s end-time program of judging the nations. (Zechariah 12:1-3) The nations would gather around Jerusalem to seek to destroy it in a final battle. Jesus Christ would come back to Jerusalem and again place His feet on the Mt. of Olives, causing it to split and form a way of escape for God’s people. (Zechariah 14:4-5) Following this great battle, the Lord would be King over all the earth and rule from Jerusalem! (Zechariah 14:9)
“Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, His holy mountain. It is beautiful in loftiness, the joy of the whole earth!” Psalm 48:1-2 In His Love, Pastor John
The Refiner’s Fire
Scripture reading for October 3: Malachi 1-4
Malachi was the last voice of a prophet in the era of the Old Covenant. After him, God was silent for 400 years until John the Baptist came on the scene. Malachi was like a street preacher of his day. He would go out where the people were and ask questions of them. He loved to pose questions and then answer them. With this style he sought to provoke God’s people to repent and do what God had commanded.
There were several issues that Malachi hit hard in his preaching. One concerned the priests who were sacrificing blind, crippled and diseased animals. God is holy and demands pure sacrifices but His priests were dishonoring Him. (Malachi 1:6-14) God is a great King Who is worthy of our best!
The priests were breaking their covenant vows with their wives and also with God. They were sacrificing to God on the Sabbath, but then going up to idol temples, sacrificing to idol gods and having sex with the temple prostitutes. God was watching and angry! He warned them through Malachi that this practice would defile them and sow violence and divorce into their homes. (Malachi 2: 11-16) This dishonored God and broke their vows, hindering the development of godly offspring through covenant marriage.
The law of God strictly forbids stealing but His people were stealing from God. They were not giving God their tithes, bringing them under a curse. The devourer was eating their crops and taking away their sustenance. (Malachi 3:8-12) The remedy was simple–return to God by bringing Him His tithe! God told them that they could test Him in this, the only place in Scripture where testing God was allowed! God promised to open the windows of heaven for those who honor Him with the tithe!
God warned that He would send His messenger of the covenant to His temple like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap, purifying the Levites. This process would bring about righteous obedience in the offerings and personal behavior. God was going to be quick to testify against those involved in sins of adultery, perjury, sorcery, and oppression of orphans and widows! (Malachi 3:1-8) This fire would reduce those who opposed the Lord to ashes but the righteous would go free! (Malachi 4:1-3)
Malachi had a message that still rings true today for us. Jesus is coming with fire this next time. Those who believe in Him will have their works tested by fire at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Those who oppose Him will be defeated by fire and eternally judged by fire! Let us return to the Lord before time runs out!
King over all the earth!
Scripture reading for October 2: Zechariah 12-14
“This is what the Lord says concerning Israel. The Lord, Who stretches out the heavens, Who lays the foundation of the earth, and Who forms the spirit of man within him, declares: ” I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations.”” Zechariah 12:1-3a
God has some serious plans for Jerusalem and Judah. He foretells of a time when all nations will be gathered against Israel and Jerusalem. They will attack but be broken, because God, Himself will be with His people. God stated through Zechariah that He would set out to destroy all nations that attack Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:9)
God is going to pour out on Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication in that coming day, and they will look on Jesus, the one they have pierced, and mourn for Him. (Zechariah 12:10) (John 19:34-37) He promised to open up a fountain for the house of David and Jerusalem to cleanse them from sins. (Zechariah 13:1) The land would be cleansed of all idols and every impurity. The wounds that would cleanse them, would be received at the house of his friends! (Zechariah 13:6) The sword would strike the shepherd of the Lord and the sheep would be scattered. (Zechariah 13:7) (Matthew 26:31-32) God’s people would be refined in the fire of the last days! Two thirds of them will perish but a third will call on the Lord and He will answer them! (Zechariah 13:8-9)
In the last days that are to come, Jerusalem would be captured, houses ransacked and women raped. But, suddenly, the Lord will put his feet on the Mt. of Olives and it will split in two, creating a great valley. It will make a way of escape for God’s people! (Zechariah 14:4-5) It will be a day when living waters will flow out of Jerusalem. “The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and His name the only name.” Zechariah 14:9
Jerusalem will be lifted up and inhabited, secure and never again destroyed. The nations that attacked Israel will be struck with a terrible plague that will cause their flesh to rot while standing on their feet and the eyes to rot in their sockets! There will be survivors who will worship the Lord in Jerusalem by coming to the Feast of Tabernacles. (Zechariah 14:12-16) “Holy to the Lord” will be inscribed on the bells of the horses and the cooking pots in the Lord’s house. What a conclusion to this ‘minor’ prophet! Be sure He is King over your life for He will surely be and is “King over the earth.”
Your King is coming!
Scripture reading for October 1: Zechariah 9-11
“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.” Zechariah 9:9-10
Zechariah was very specific about the coming Ruler who will be both a priest and a king. This coming One would not be a great conqueror who would ruthlessly devour the nations or subdue them with strong-arm tactics. Instead, He would come gently, armed with weapons of righteousness and salvation. He would also be riding on the colt of a donkey. He would come proclaiming peace to all peoples and nations! His rule would extend to the ends of the earth! What a picture of Jesus Christ! (Matthew 21:2-4)
This gentle King, Who announces peace, would also save and restore His people! Because of the blood of His covenant, He will free the prisoners and will restore them double! The Lord will save His flock like a shepherd from their enemies and they will sparkle like jewels in a crown. (Zechariah 9:16-17)
The people of God were to ask the Lord for rain in the springtime. God gives showers of rain to the just and unjust, but He is responsive to His people asking . God was tired of shepherds who oppressed the people and promised that He, Himself, would care for His flock. He would raise up from Judah One Who would be the Cornerstone and the Tent Peg. He would bring forth the Battle Bow and every ruler would come from Him. (Zechariah 10:4) This again is a reference to Jesus Christ, Who came from the tribe of Judah and became the Chief Cornerstone of the new temple! He was a Peg driven in a firm place and a Mighty Warrior!
There are many “I will” statements in Zechariah 10. Included in these statements are promises to strengthen the house of Judah and have compassion on them. God promises to be their God and to hear and answer them. (Zechariah 10:6-12) He will gather them from where they have been scattered and they will walk in His name!
A final reference to this king is found in Zechariah 11:12-13 where the statement about the price of thirty pieces of silver for the pay of the shepherd was made. It was to be thrown to the potter! Zechariah had again left a significant Word that signified that Jesus Christ was Messiah and described Judas’ betrayal for the thirty pieces of silver! (Matthew 27:3-10)
Our King is coming again! This time as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Are you ready to meet Him? Humble yourself today and ask Him to rule in your heart and life!
Are you really fasting for Me?
Scripture reading for September 30: Zechariah 7-8
“Then the Word of the Lord Almighty came to me: “Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?'” Zechariah 7:4-6
Many times we who are the Lord’s children go through the motions when we seek to worship or serve the Lord. We do what is expected or required, but don’t really put our hearts into it. I know that I have done that before with fasting. As soon as I seek to fast, my flesh acts up and distractions come faster than ever before! I have difficulty focusing for prayer and thoughts of food or irritations distract me.
God used Zechariah to preach to His people on this subject as they returned to work on the temple. You see, God did not want them just to not have food and mourn during the fast. He wanted them to administer justice and show mercy and compassion to one another. He wanted them to care for the needy and poor and help the widow and orphan. He wanted their hearts to truly love each other instead of thinking evil. (Zechariah 7:8-10) Real fasting that pleases God has to do with refocusing on what God really loves and doing that. It was to produce progress in godliness.
God’s people just went through the motions and so God became angry with them, and scattered them among the nations. This is why the land became desolate and rested for the seventy years. Hard hearts and disobedience had brought their inevitable consequences.
But now, God was again jealous for Jerusalem! He would now show good and blessing to this city and favor them. The true fast would be a joyful time and the festivals would be filled with happiness as they loved truth and peace. God would gather His people back to the land and many peoples and nations would also come and join themselves to the Jew! (Zechariah 8:15-23)
Fasting has always been a way for God’s people to draw closer to Him and find their true appetites satisfied. God, Himself, is enough for us. A true fast brings cleansing to body and soul. The body cleanses itself from toxins and waste as we quit eating and drink lots of water. The soul quits focusing on bodily appetites and focuses on the Lord and His will. Toxins of the soul include bitterness, depression, apathy, unforgiveness, lack of truth and injustice. The water of God’s Word washes the soul clean. Take time soon for a true fast! It will work wonders for body and soul!
The Crowning of the High Priest
Scripture reading for September 28: Zechariah 5-6
Our goal during these devotions on God’s Word is to see Jesus Christ in every book of the Bible. Zechariah, other than Isaiah, has more references to the coming of Jesus and His ministry than any other prophet. In today’s reading we have more of the eight visions that God gave Zechariah to encourage the workers who were rebuilding the temple and city of Jerusalem. Eight is the number of ‘new beginnings’.
Zechariah had already mentioned the ‘Branch’ Who was symbolized by Joshua, the High Priest. This ‘Branch’ would come and be fully obedient to God and take away the sins of the nation in a single day. (Zechariah 3:8-9) The High Priest symbolically did this on the Day of Atonement each year. He went behind the veil of the Holy of Holies and sprinkled the blood of a lamb on the mercy seat. His offering of blood was for the sins of the nation. (Leviticus 16:15-17)
In today’s reading, Zechariah saw another vision of powerful horses going throughout the earth. (Zechariah 6:1-6) One of the horses went toward the North and reported rest being brought to God’s Spirit. Zechariah then was told to take silver and gold from the returned exiles, make a crown, and set it on the head of Joshua, the High Priest. He was to say to him: “Here is the Man Whose Name is Branch, and He will branch out from His place and build the temple of the Lord. It is He Who will build the temple of the Lord, and He will be clothed with majesty and will sit on His throne. And He will be a Priest on His throne and there will be harmony between the two.” (Zechariah 6:12-13)
As we reflect on this vision in light of the life and current ministry of Jesus Christ, we see that the ‘Branch’ is again a picture of Jesus Christ Who was and is both Priest and King! He is our “High Priest” before God, there interceding for us. (Romans 8:34) He is the “King of Kings” Who is coming in power to claim His bride, the church, and punish His enemies. (Revelation 19:11-16)
We are encouraged by these ancient visions today because of the revelation of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Jesus, our Priest and King, is praying for us today. He has given us the Holy Spirit and we have overcoming power to share with the lost world the good news of His coming again. We are watching for His return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Our faith and faithfulness will crown Him when He comes! (Revelation 4:9-11)