The End of All Things
The book of Revelations is the description of the seven Gentile church ages through history from the time of Jesus' death to the present. To write about it in detail is beyond the scope of this blog, about which I stated a year ago, which was to write about my experience of reading the Bible through in one year.
This, for now, will be the final posting for this blog.
To my few faithful readers, I offer my humble thanks.
To anyone who would stumble across this blog, please feel free to peruse and comment on any entries. Most of my later entries have been short, but there are many entries that are in-depth and descriptive. Any and all comments are welcome.
Thank you and God Bless You and God bless the reading of His Word!!!
Your brother in Christ, Dale Knight.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Malachi
I Send Elijah
Malachi promised in chapter 4, verse 5, the the Lord will send the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord. The Elijah spirit is much admired by God, to the point that He uses this spirit five times - Elijah, Elisha, John the Baptist, the Elijah of Malachi 4, and the Elijah in Revelation 11.
The Elijah spirit has easily enumerated attributes: Love of the wilderness, oddball, loner, hater of immoral women, no desire for fame or fortune, and an unbending fealty to the Word of God. In these last days, an Elijah is promised. Has he arrived and we missed him?
Malachi promised in chapter 4, verse 5, the the Lord will send the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord. The Elijah spirit is much admired by God, to the point that He uses this spirit five times - Elijah, Elisha, John the Baptist, the Elijah of Malachi 4, and the Elijah in Revelation 11.
The Elijah spirit has easily enumerated attributes: Love of the wilderness, oddball, loner, hater of immoral women, no desire for fame or fortune, and an unbending fealty to the Word of God. In these last days, an Elijah is promised. Has he arrived and we missed him?
Zechariah
End-time Prophecy
The book of Zechariah covers a wide variety of subjects. Primarily it is a series of messages to the ones rebuilding the Temple, the ones to whom Haggai prophesied. Additionally, Zechariah has prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, the "Branch" and King of David. Rich in symbolism and poetic language, this book offers hope to exiled Israel of a complete restoration of fellowship with God.
The book of Zechariah covers a wide variety of subjects. Primarily it is a series of messages to the ones rebuilding the Temple, the ones to whom Haggai prophesied. Additionally, Zechariah has prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, the "Branch" and King of David. Rich in symbolism and poetic language, this book offers hope to exiled Israel of a complete restoration of fellowship with God.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Haggai
Rebuild the Temple
Haggai is a call to the exiles who were allowed to return to Jerusalem. The Lord directs the prophet to call to the returnees to rebuild the Temple. In four short messages, Haggai covers the rebuke to those who had directed their energy to their own well-being while the Temple lie in ruins. Second, he reminds the people that the Lord is with them, His presence will abide with them. Third he directs them to purity within the law by a series of questions on the law. Finally, he tells them the Lord will appoint Zerubbabel (a descendant of David and part of the lineage of Jesus) to be the king and leader and gives him a signet ring.
These four messages parallel nicely with the three works of grace that a Christian experiences. First we must hear the call to build the temple of God in our lives. We must cease living for ourselves and begin living for Him. Next, he justifies us and promises He will never leave us and will abide with us forever. Secondly, the Lord sanctifies us - He calls us to lead a Holy life. Finally, He, the royal seed of David, takes up kingship in our hearts through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Like the message of Haggai to the returning Jews, we as Christian must be willing to heed and obey His message to us.
Haggai is a call to the exiles who were allowed to return to Jerusalem. The Lord directs the prophet to call to the returnees to rebuild the Temple. In four short messages, Haggai covers the rebuke to those who had directed their energy to their own well-being while the Temple lie in ruins. Second, he reminds the people that the Lord is with them, His presence will abide with them. Third he directs them to purity within the law by a series of questions on the law. Finally, he tells them the Lord will appoint Zerubbabel (a descendant of David and part of the lineage of Jesus) to be the king and leader and gives him a signet ring.
These four messages parallel nicely with the three works of grace that a Christian experiences. First we must hear the call to build the temple of God in our lives. We must cease living for ourselves and begin living for Him. Next, he justifies us and promises He will never leave us and will abide with us forever. Secondly, the Lord sanctifies us - He calls us to lead a Holy life. Finally, He, the royal seed of David, takes up kingship in our hearts through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Like the message of Haggai to the returning Jews, we as Christian must be willing to heed and obey His message to us.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Zephaniah
Judgment
Zephaniah, a descendant of the righteous king Hezekiah, prophesied in the early days of king Josiah, another righteous king of Judah. His book is primarily a prophecy of judgment and apostate Judah and Israel. He also prophecies judgment against Moab and Ammon.
His descriptions are some of the most graphic and disturbing of all the judgment prophets. The tone is set right from the beginning, "I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth..." (1:2).
Zephaniah, a descendant of the righteous king Hezekiah, prophesied in the early days of king Josiah, another righteous king of Judah. His book is primarily a prophecy of judgment and apostate Judah and Israel. He also prophecies judgment against Moab and Ammon.
His descriptions are some of the most graphic and disturbing of all the judgment prophets. The tone is set right from the beginning, "I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth..." (1:2).
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Habakkuk
Even Though
Habakkuk wrote during the time of Assyrian domination of Judah. He is direct with God, asking the Lord "How long must I cry for help?"(1:2). Habakkuk was upset that Judah remained under judgment from God and that the Lord allowed the Babylonians to continue to persecute them. The Lord assures the prophet that the Babylonians are only a tool used for judgment and that they will not go unpunished (2:6-17).
Habakkuk slowly begins to understand how the Lord works. He expresses that "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms and there are no grapes on the vine;" (3:17a) meaning that Judah currently bears no evidence of Godly fruit and "even though the olive crops fail, and the fields lie empty and barren"(17b) meaning there is no oil of the spirit present and there is no way for Judah to feed herself. "Even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty."(17c) meaning there are no sacrificial animals. In spite of this, Habakkuk "will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!" (3:18)
In the face of dire circumstances, those faithful to the Lord will not be disappointed.
Habakkuk wrote during the time of Assyrian domination of Judah. He is direct with God, asking the Lord "How long must I cry for help?"(1:2). Habakkuk was upset that Judah remained under judgment from God and that the Lord allowed the Babylonians to continue to persecute them. The Lord assures the prophet that the Babylonians are only a tool used for judgment and that they will not go unpunished (2:6-17).
Habakkuk slowly begins to understand how the Lord works. He expresses that "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms and there are no grapes on the vine;" (3:17a) meaning that Judah currently bears no evidence of Godly fruit and "even though the olive crops fail, and the fields lie empty and barren"(17b) meaning there is no oil of the spirit present and there is no way for Judah to feed herself. "Even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty."(17c) meaning there are no sacrificial animals. In spite of this, Habakkuk "will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!" (3:18)
In the face of dire circumstances, those faithful to the Lord will not be disappointed.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Nahum
Destruction of Nineveh
The book of Nahum is devoted to a prophecy predicting the destruction of the great Assyrian city of Nineveh. Once the dominating kingdom of the east, their laxity and laziness ultimately leads to the downfall of the great city.
Chapter 1 provides a beautiful and poetic description of the power of Jehovah - a message that all of us should heed.
The book of Nahum is devoted to a prophecy predicting the destruction of the great Assyrian city of Nineveh. Once the dominating kingdom of the east, their laxity and laziness ultimately leads to the downfall of the great city.
Chapter 1 provides a beautiful and poetic description of the power of Jehovah - a message that all of us should heed.
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