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THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST #41

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lion and lambTHE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST

In the previous chapter, the Lord had assured His Disciples that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church. He also reminded them of the suffering one must endure to enter that Kingdom of Heaven Church. He promised them a preview of the Kingdom, and they would see it in seven days. This would be a source of hope and encouragement to them.

Peter and the eleven were promised final authority as judges in the coming Kingdom, and is noteworthy that Peter is always mentioned first. This does not suggest that he had more authority than the eleven. However, Peter is given a special place of leadership in the early Acts period. God had a distinctive reason for recording the ministry of Peter more than that of others.

Paul identifies Peter as the apostle to the Jews, in contrast to his own ministry to the gentiles. “ But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;” Galatians 2:7. The book of Acts has 28 chapters; however, Peter disappears from the book at chapter 15. He is not mentioned again. There is a great dispensational reason for this, and Luke, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, lays it out in Acts in a way that 99% of Christians never see it.

We are not told which mountain this was. Nevertheless, the experience was not forgotten. Peter, James, and John go with Christ to the mountain. There, they behold a site that overwhelms them. Jesus was transfigured above the brightness of the sun. That was a glimpse of His full splendor and glory. Two Old Testament saints appear with Him. One was Moses, who had died a 1000 years earlier, and the other was Elijah, who never died. These two were with Him on the mountain.

Moses was not in a resurrected body. His spirit was clothed by the Lord. However, Elijah was flesh and bone, and had been preserved in heaven since he was taken up in a chariot of fire! These three talked about the upcoming death of Jesus, and of the Kingdom of Heaven to follow. His suffering must precede His glory.  In addition, Moses represented the saints who will be resurrected at the Second Advent, and Elijah represented those who will be raptured, and will go into the Kingdom without dying. This event has nothing to do with the present Church, which was a mystery.

There can be no doubt that Peter believed this was the beginning of the Kingdom. He is willing to make tabernacles for the three so they could behold the full establishment of the Kingdom. “Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.” Isaiah 33:20.  “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.” Zechariah 14:16. Peter was overcome with glory and expectation. Luke said Peter did not know what he said. “ And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. Luke 9:33.

The experience was similar to that of Moses on Sinai at the founding of the nation of Israel. The three were sore afraid, and fell on their faces. However, a reassuring voice came from heaven validation all they saw and heard. Jesus charged them tell no one until He was resurrected out from among the dead. They did not have clue as to this saying, as all the gospels demonstrate.

They had just witnessed the coming of Elijah. Now he was gone. This prompted the question, why the scribes said Elijah must come prior to the Kingdom. Jesus assured them that Elijah would certainly come before the Kingdom was established. John the Baptist came as a forerunner, and in the spirit of Elijah, but Israel’s leaders rejected and killed him. This they will also do to Elijah in the Tribulation. “6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. 7  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9  And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10  And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 11  And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12  And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13  And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.” Revelation 11:6-13.

 

I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH…WHICH ONE? #40

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 lion and lamb

I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH…WHICH ONE?

 

The offer of the King and His kingdom is now in the process of being rejected by Israel, and the King is in the process of rejecting them. He has given an overview of how their offer of the Kingdom would be infiltrated by wickedness. This is the purpose of the parables in chapter 13. As he teaches His Disciples, He expounds more clearly some of the details.

 Verses 1-4.

The religious leader keep up the pressure, tempting Him to give them a direct sigh from heaven. His answer was that they were able discern the approaching weather, but were completely blind to their own Scriptures, and the prophesied signs of their Messiah. The one sign that would validate all He taught and did will be validated by His resurrection out from among the dead. Paul quotes this as a proof text of His deity. “…Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” Romans 1:3-4.

 Verses 5-12

As they departed and sailed across the lake, Jesus still has His mind on the Pharisees and Sadducees. He warns His Disciples to take heed of the teaching of these groups. The Disciples are confused because He used the word “leaven” instead of the word doctrine. Leaven, in many ways, and in most cases, is a type of evil in some form. Here, He warns them of their doctrine.  “Of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees Mat 16:6-12Mark 8:15Luke 12:1 Of other evils 1Co 5:6-8Gal 5:9 Parable of Mat 13:33Luke 13:21.” Nave’s Topical Bible:

 As the Lord continues the training of the Twelve, He must be sure that they are convinced as to His person. When the question is asked “whom do men say I am?” Their answer was, John the Baptist, Elias, Jeremiah, and other of the prophets. In other words, the multitudes were not sure. It was not imperative that they know, but His Disciples must be sure if they are to preach to others.

 The question gets more direct, and Jesus asks the Twelve whom do you say I am? With limited understanding of Christ’s mission, Peter gives the right answer. “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The Lord told Peter that he was blessed to know that, and He would build His Kingdom of Heaven church on that truth.

 It is at this point the Baptist brethren make their greatest error. They assume the church Jesus speaks of is the church which was the mystery church revealed to Paul. They appear to be ignorant of the church that existed in the Old Testament, and during the transition period. Stephen speaks of this church. “This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:” Acts 7:38. That church was called out of Egypt. It consisted of the nation of Israel. Although in apostasy, it existed during the earthly ministry of Christ and His Apostles. However, most of that church had died and were in Paradise. This is the church that the “gates of hell” would not keep. They would be resurrected, and join with others who accepted Him as their Messiah, the Son of God. “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” Hebrews 2:12. “22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. 23 Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.” Psalm 22:22-23.

 The “keys” given to Peter and all the Disciples is the knowledge and understanding of who Jesus Christ is. John sums it up. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:31. Now, one should read this text without attempting to read the writings of Paul back into it.

 The Disciples will be seated on twelve thrones judging the nation of Israel. They will have the delegated power and wisdom of Christ so that the decisions in all matters of judgment will be final and have the approval of the Father and the Son.

 Verse 21-16.

NOW, I hope I can get your attention for a few minutes. Verse 21 says it was at this point that Jesus BEGAN        to inform of His Disciples of His upcoming rejection and death at Jerusalem. If pastors could grasp the implications of this truth, it would revolution their theology. At this point, it is but a few days until His crucifixion. NO ONE knew of His predestined death. However, He and the Twelve have been preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven to Israel for three years! Now, it is obvious that none preached His death, burial, and resurrection in any manner for salvation. John tells us that they did not know that He was to be resurrected. “For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.” John 20:9. The Disciples had much to learn. I have tried for years to get a Baptist to tell me the content of their gospel, and in what way Johns baptism related to their gospel. I have not had a straight answer yet…wonder why.

 In light of His death, He tells them they must be willing to lose their life, if they hope to save it. Although every Christian should be willing to follow Christ to the death, the context is still part of the Kingdom Gospel. The promise of a view of the Kingdom would encourage them. We know the story, but one can only imagine what went through their mind.

 

THE DOGS EAT THE CRUMBS. THE LOAVES AND FISHES #39

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lion and lambTHE DOGS EAT THE CRUMBS. THE LOAVES AND FISHES #39

 Matthew 15:21-39

It has become evident that the rulers of Israel were not going to repent or receive Jesus as their King and Messiah in spite of the evidence. Thus, He begins to show and teach His Disciples the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven ministry in His absence.

 The woman who comes to Him is Syrophoenician, and thus a Gentile. He daughter evidently was possessed by a devil, and this woman sought the mercy of Jesus for her daughter. She had already besought the Disciples for healing, but they rejected her upon Scriptural grounds.  Even the Lord Jesus ignored her pleadings for a time. Verse 23 says, He answered her not a word. When He does answer her, He tells her that He is not sent, but to the lost sheep of the house, or nation, of Israel. Paul makes it clear that Christ’s first advent was to the Jews only. “ Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:” Romans 15:8. Jesus told the woman at the well that salvation was of the Jews. That is, the Kingdom of Heaven salvation would go to the Gentiles through a converted Israel.

Thus, He said to the Gentile woman that is was not fitting to take the Kingdom ministry and blessings and give them to Gentile dogs first. Her response showed that she recognized Him as Israel’s King, and that the Gentiles would be blessed through them. Therefore, she acknowledged that she was a Gentile dog, but was willing to eat the crumbs form His table. Jesus could not, and did not reject her great faith. Jesus said it would be according to her faith, and her daughter was made whole that very hour.

 One only needs to read the following accounts of healing miracles to see that the healers of this dispensation are all charlatans and frauds. Their theatrical acts and claims are embracing to anyone who reads and knows his Bible. They could not heal a hangnail. We challenge anyone to produce healing miracles matching these in the Bible.

 One can only imagine what the kingdom would have been, and will be like at our Lord’s return when He establishes it. He is demonstrating to His Disciples what they will have the power to do as they go into all the world with the Kingdom of Heaven gospel. Sickness, war, and hunger will never be a problem again once the Kingdom of Heaven is established.

 The Seventy are also granted, not only healing power, but also power over all things that would harm them. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19. As we have said, the nation rejected the offers of the Kingdom and their Messiah, and these miracles were never fully demonstrated. However, when the Kingdom is offered again to Israel and then to all the world, these promises will be in full force.

 

THAT WHICH DEFILES A MAN #38

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lion and lambTHAT WHICH DEFILES A MAN #38

Matthew 15:1-20

Verse 1, Hypocrites are always watching to see if you violate one of their standards or traditions. They are quick to point those out to you and to others. The Devil’s first attack was with a question, and they were always accusatory. Many of the brethren today have put standards or traditions equal to, or above the Scriptures. Yet, like the Pharisees, they fail to see it.  

 

Verse 3-9. You will notice that Jesus “turned the tables” on them with a Scriptural question. The question was simple, but revealing. It showed their double hypocrisy. The first hypocrisy was their transgression of the commandment of God by their tradition. God had clearly commanded Israel to honor their father and mother. That included care for them in their old age. However, the Pharisees had devised a plan where the children could have some of the money for themselves, and give the rest to the temple, thus to the priest. Dake explain it clearly. “It is translated offering (Lk. 21:4). Children who did not want to support parents used this tradition as an excuse to evade the law. They would enter into a deal with a corrupt priest for a small percent to dedicate things to God which should go to parents. They then could claim them to be God’s and not their own. Thus, they would be free from any obligation to parents. Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible:” Thus, Jesus revealed their wicked hypocrisy by their actions of deceit, but also from the prophet Isaiah.  

 

Verses 10-14. Jesus then call the multitude and explained the deception and ignorance of those who taught, and followed the teaching that it was a sin to eat with unwashed sins. The religion of Islam is also filled with such traditions. In many of these matters, there is much similarity between Judaism and Islam.

 

Jesus then makes it clear. It is not a sin to eat with unwashed hands. It may not be safe is some cases, but it is never a sin. The reason is obvious; stomach acids digest that which one eats.  That which comes out of the mouth defiles a person. It reveals what is in the heart. Jesus accused the religious leaders of blindness, and said to ignore them.

 

 One can understand Peter’s question when we realize that he too, what raised in the tradition of the Jews. Thus, the parable was unclear to him. Jesus ask Peter a question, and the answer should have been obvious.  The answer is in the text. “Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” Matthew 15:1-20. Thus, our Lord is teaching His disciples the danger of the leaven of the Pharisees, and preparing them for their future ministry according to the Word of God.

THE TRAINING OF THE TWELVE; HE HEALS AND FEEDS THE MULTITUDE, AND WALKS ON THE WATER #37

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lion and lamb

 

THE TRAINING OF THE TWELVE; HE HEALS AND FEEDS THE MULTITUDE, AND WALKS ON THE WATER

Matthew 14:13-36

Verses 13-21. When Jesus heard that John was murdered, He and the disciples departed by ship to a deserted place. However, the people sought where He was because of the fame and miracles. Because of His great compassion, He healed and fed them. The miracle of feeding the multitudes is recorded in all four gospels. Not only was this an act of compassion on the people, but it was an intended lesson to the disciples. Elisha multiplied bread for 100 men (2Ki. 4:42-43). Christ multiplied it twice for many thousands (Mt. 14:21; 15:38; Lk. 9:10-17; Jn. 6:6-10).

Verses 22-32.  After feeding the multitude, Jesus sent His disciples by ship, unto the other side of the lake. He remained and sent the multitudes away. He then departed into a mountain alone to pray. There can be no doubt that He prayed for the disciples.

The ship was in the darkness, in the midst of the sea. A strong wind came upon the Sea of Galilee, which was not uncommon, but dangerous, nevertheless. We are told the time was the fourth watch of the night. Dake says, “Jews divided the night into 3 parts of 4 hours each and Romans into 4 parts of 3 hours each. The 4th watch would be 3:00 to 6:00 in the morning.” Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible.
The disciples saw a figure walking on the water toward them. We can be sure this was more frightening than the storm. Indeed, they thought it was a spirit, or a ghost. That would have been an ominous sign to them. However, Jesus called out, and assured them that it was He. Peter responded by saying, if it be You, bid me come. Jesus said, come. Peter stepped out and walked on the water. Nevertheless, Peter took his eyes off Jesus, and saw the waves. This distraction cause him to forget who was with him, and what He had done for them. Such is human nature. Thank God, for the illustration, that all one must do is call on Jesus to save them from their sins, and He will!

Jesus ask Peter a question all of us should ask ourselves. “Wherefore didst thou doubt?” When we recount all that the disciples had witnessed, we too ask, why they would doubt. However, I must ask myself; after what He has done for me, why do I ever doubt? We should be moved to do as they did. They worshipped Him. The light was beginning to dawn in their minds, who He was.

Verses 34-36. They came to the north shore of Galilee, to the land of Gennesaret. When the people heard that He was there, they published through all that country, and brought all that were sick and diseased. Many had faith that if they could touch the hem of His garment, they would be healed, and they were.

The reader should easily identify the difference between the healing ministry of Jesus, and the fake healers of today. Only those with a right division of Scripture can understand this seeming contradiction. In the Gospels and the early Acts period, we are dealing with the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven. When that gospel was officially rejected, the miracles began to subside. There are no miracle workers or faith healers today. They are fake healers.