Today’s Reading: Ezek 43:1–44:31, Rev 21:9–27, Job 39:1–10

Today’s Theme: The True Temple

Today’s reading shows us that the true temple is God himself and that we too are the temple of God. If the Holy Spirit is not living in us we are just a dead empty building.

The Great Temple of Jerusalem and even a newly rebuilt temple, all point to their ultimate fulfilment in God Himself, the one in whom we live, move, have our being and worship, in the light of His glory.

Ezekiel 43:1–44:31

God’s glory from the east

And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory.(Ezekiel 43:2, ESV)

Lord, we pray Your glory would come and rise from the east, let Your glory be seen this day throughout Asia and turn hearts towards You.

The Spirit enters the temple / body

As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east,(Ezekiel 43:4, ESV)

Without the Spirit and glory of the Living God, everything we do is dead. Fill us and our works this day O Lord, so that we will not be dead and empty temples.

Bury the dead kings far away

Now let them put away their whoring and the dead bodies of their kings far from me, and I will dwell in their midst forever.(Ezekiel 43:9, ESV)

We must bury our old dead kings, the things of the world and flesh that we once bowed to. We must bury them so far away, so as to put them out of our sight, presence and remembrance. It is like when Abraham wanted to bury his dead out of his sight.

The light of his glory

“As for you, son of man, describe to the house of Israel the temple, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and they shall measure the plan.(Ezekiel 43:10, ESV)

God’s glory, His glorious plans and works should cause us to see our iniquity for the shameful act it is and turn away from it towards His glorious light.

Jesus, without blemish

When you have finished purifying it, you shall offer a bull from the herd without blemish and a ram from the flock without blemish.(Ezekiel 43:23, ESV)

Jesus was our sacrifice without blemish.

Prophecy fulfilled

And the Lord said to me, “This gate shall remain shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it, for the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered by it. Therefore it shall remain shut.(Ezekiel 44:2, ESV)

The Ottoman Turk empire unwittingly fulfilled this prophecy by blocking the eastern or Golden gate through which the Messiah will come, if we take this prophecy as a typological one.

Circumcise your hearts

in admitting foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, to be in my sanctuary, profaning my temple, when you offer to me my food, the fat and the blood. You have broken my covenant, in addition to all your abominations.(Ezekiel 44:7, ESV)

It was clear that the purpose of circumcision in the old testament was meant to be an outward sign of the inward work of heart circumcision. If we follow the pleasures of sin in our hearts then we defile the house of God, the ministry and our own bodies which are His temple.

Don’t work with mere human effort

When they enter the gates of the inner court, they shall wear linen garments. They shall have nothing of wool on them, while they minister at the gates of the inner court, and within.(Ezekiel 44:17, ESV)

Pastor has taught us well, that wool causes us to sweat, speaking of human effort, but linen speaks of work empowered by God and not the flesh of man.

Don’t sweat, let the Spirit work

They shall have linen turbans on their heads, and linen undergarments around their waists. They shall not bind themselves with anything that causes sweat.(Ezekiel 44:18, ESV)

The point about human effort and flesh in ministry, is made clear.

Thank God for our Pastors

They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.(Ezekiel 44:23, ESV)

Ministers of the Gospel are to live lives of holiness and have been charged with the responsibility of training the people to discern well between truth and error.

We should especially appreciate the ministry of our own Pastors in this regard, as they guide us in truth.

Where applicable, we should accept our part of this call in our lives, for the glory of God’s name, for our joy and for the edification of the body of Christ.

God, our inheritance

“This shall be their inheritance: I am their inheritance: and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.(Ezekiel 44:28, ESV)

YES Lord Yes, as a member of Your royal priesthood, I am so glad that I have You as my inheritance. God is the Gospel, God is the gospels aim and end, to have him as our treasure forever.

Revelation 21:9–27

The Bride

Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”(Revelation 21:9, ESV)

This is the Church, the redeemed bride.

12, pointing to God’s government

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.(Revelation 21:14, ESV)

There is much great symbolism here, the twelve angels, twelve tribes and now the twelve apostles as though these all point to and have a role to play in God’s perfect government, as part of His perfect plan.

Angles, the size of men

He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel’s measurement.(Revelation 21:17, ESV)

Angels and humans are similar or the same in size as opposed to new visions claims where Angels are 10 feet tall.

God is the true temple

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.(Revelation 21:22, ESV)

This is the meaning of Ezekiel’s great temple, the temple was always just pointing to the reality of God.

Job 39:1–10

The wonder of creation

Their young ones become strong; they grow up in the open; they go out and do not return to them.(Job 39:4, ESV)

The great wonder for the natural world of God’s creation and the animal world in particular. God shows us the beauty and wisdom of it in His word, long before the naturalist started to celebrate it and worship it aside from Him.

God over nature

“Is the wild ox willing to serve you? Will he spend the night at your manger?(Job 39:9, ESV)

We can’t even tame many animals without inflicting great cruelty, we are not the masters of the universe, God alone is sovereign even over the animal kingdom

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Revelation 21

Today’s Reading: Ezek 41:1–42:20, Rev 20:7–21:8, Job 38:34–41

Today’s Theme: Called to be Overcomers

Today’s theme looks at the call we have to be overcomers in Christ. There are great rewards awaiting us, so let us live holy lives, killing sin, growing in Christ, being fruitful and faithful to the glory of God.

Ezekiel 41:1–42:20

Called to be multifaceted

a human face toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side. They were carved on the whole temple all around.(Ezekiel 41:19, ESV)

The prophetic visions are replete with these creatures that appear to have some symbolic reference to multifaceted personalities, like the Godhead Himself. What are we to learn from this? I think it is that we should have an understanding of our dual natures in Christ (Flesh – man vs Spirit – Lion).

Also we must allow God to use us in multiple ways and know how to use reason as men, and power like lions.

Be holy

He measured it on the four sides. It had a wall around it, 500 cubits long and 500 cubits broad, to make a separation between the holy and the common.(Ezekiel 42:20, ESV)

We should be separate unto the Lord as holy and make clear divisions between the Holy and secular in our lives too.

Revelation 20:7–21:8

The Bible is Epic

And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them,(Revelation 20:9, ESV)

This reads like the best action film ever, what epic events! We need to open our eyes to the literary quality of the bible, it is an engaging narrative revealing God’s truth.

Eternal punishment

and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.(Revelation 20:10, ESV)

The plain teaching of the bible is that hell is eternal punishment.

We will all be held accountable

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.(Revelation 20:12, ESV)

Everything that every person has ever done has all been recorded and we will be held to account for everything. We need the grace of God not only to be saved but to work out our salvation. As Francis Schafer said, now we are saved how should we then live?

He has already written your name

And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.(Revelation 20:15, ESV)

Thank you Lord that in Your love You chose to write our names in Your book of life, from the foundation of the world. How awesome is Your love.

The day we yearn for

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”(Revelation 21:4, ESV)

This is the great day that our hearts yearn for.

Thirsty!

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.(Revelation 21:6, ESV)

Yes Lord, we are thirsty for You. Confess your thirst to God today and drink from His abundant supply.

Called to be overcomers

The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.(Revelation 21:7, ESV)

As saints we must be conquerors and overcomer’s. It is not enough to be a “Christian”, we must be overcomer’s, defeating sin in our lives, growing and being fruitful as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Don’t be cowardly

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”(Revelation 21:8, ESV)

We must be bold and brave in standing for the truth and not like the “cowardly”. You MUST be bold in your stand for God. Fear God, not man.

Job 38:34–41

God has given man understanding

Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?(Job 38:36, ESV)

Wow, this blows me away, and the evolutionary theorist have really bad solutions for this. If man would honestly consider this question then he would give glory to God for the amazing wonder of consciousness, intelligence and understanding.

The Animal Kingdom

Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?(Job 38:41, ESV)

Animals are in communion with God, this is an earth shattering reality.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 21

Today’s Reading: Ezek 39:25–40:49, Rev 19:11–20:6, Job 38:25–33

Today’s Theme: Star Creator

It is just amazing to consider that God created the stars and constellations, it is this same powerful God that will restore Israel and defeat evil.

Ezekiel 39:25–40:49

Israel, regathered to God’s glory

when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies’ lands, and through them have vindicated my holiness in the sight of many nations.(Ezekiel 39:27, ESV)

Israel will be the vindication of God’s holiness to all nations and at the same time, the act of regathering will be instrumental in Israel themselves being saved.

Set your heart

And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel.”(Ezekiel 40:4, ESV)

We need to be really deliberate in what we look at and listen to. We should guard our eyes and ears. We should live a life of purpose, setting our hearts to do all that the Lord shows and tells us.

God has detailed plans

The length of the vestibule was twenty cubits, and the breadth twelve cubits, and people would go up to it by ten steps. And there were pillars beside the jambs, one on either side.(Ezekiel 40:49, ESV)

This precise measurement and all the others in this passage, show how precise and detailed God is in His plans. To be so detailed, He needs to be sovereign in power to perform His plan.

Revelation 19:11–20:6

The Word of God

He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.(Revelation 19:13, ESV)

The mighty Word of God, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

The final battle

And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.(Revelation 19:19, ESV)

The final great battle where evil will ultimately be defeated.

The devil will be bound

And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,(Revelation 20:2, ESV)

The serpent that became a dragon – the devil – is bound for 1000 years, the enemy is defeated.

The 1st Resurrection

Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.(Revelation 20:6, ESV)

We should live in a way that we are able to be a part of the first resurrection and reign with Christ.

Job 38:25–33

For His own pleasure

to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man,(Job 38:26, ESV)

God does amazing things that no one else will ever see, to bring Himself glory and pleasure.

God controls the stars

“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?(Job 38:31, ESV)

These are star constellations, God is the one who breathed the stars into existence.

Constellations created by God

Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children?(Job 38:32, ESV)

Star constellations were made by God as signs in the heavens, later corrupted by astrologers when they lost their original meaning.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 20

Today’s Reading:  Ezek 38:1–39:24, Rev 19:1–10, Job 38:12–24

Today’s Theme: Rejoice in God’s Power

Today’s theme is that we should rejoice in God’s mighty power, shown in the ultimate judgement and victory over evil.

Ezekiel 38:1–39:24

Who is Gog?

You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.(Ezekiel 38:16, ESV)

The latter days are mentioned here, is this an allusion to some great northern country, like Russia rising against Israel in the last days?

The following link provides insightful information from trusted bible dictionaries: Gog and Magog on the map

God judges the nations

I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the Lord.(Ezekiel 39:6, ESV)

God will lead these great nations into destruction as a judgement.

The universe restored

“And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.(Ezekiel 39:7, ESV)

How we long for that day, when the universe is fixed.

A great slaughter

For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land.(Ezekiel 39:12, ESV)

Will this be a nuclear or biological attack?

Revelation 19:1–10

Rejoice the enemy is judged

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”(Revelation 19:1–2, ESV)

We should not be sorry but should rejoice at the final judgement of the evil world system.

Rejoice in God

And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”(Revelation 19:5, ESV)

Rejoicing in God is central to His purpose.

Heaven is full of praise

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.(Revelation 19:6, ESV)

Heaven is going to be loud.

Clothed with your own works

it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.(Revelation 19:8, ESV)

We are clothed with the things we do, so do right and do well.

The invited

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”(Revelation 19:9, ESV)

Those invited show that God’s people are specific and select, not universal.

Worship God

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.(Revelation 19:10, ESV)

The pure purpose of existence.

Job 38:12–24

Bow to God’s power

“Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place,(Job 38:12, ESV)

All men must bow to God’s majesty and power, we can’t stop morning from coming or make it come faster.

The mystery of the deep oceans

“Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?(Job 38:16, ESV)

Although man has gone to space, he still cannot do this.

The mystery of death

Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?(Job 38:17, ESV)

Man still does not understand and cannot master death.

Light

“Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness,(Job 38:19, ESV)

This still baffles scientists.

Snow

which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?(Job 38:23, ESV)

This helped Russia defeat Germany.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 19

Today’s Reading:  Ezek 36:1–37:28, Rev 18:1–24, Job 38:1–11

Today’s Theme: New Creation

Today’s theme looks at God’s work, regeneration and new creation in the believer and in the earth. In Job, we look back at God’s amazing work of creation. God is the creator and regenerator.

Ezekiel 36:1–37:28

The Land is God’s

therefore thus says the Lord God: Surely I have spoken in my hot jealousy against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, who gave my land to themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, that they might make its pasturelands a prey.(Ezekiel 36:5, ESV)

This echoes what the nations do with Israel today too, however as the text says, the land of Israel is God’s possession and He has given it to the children of Israel as a testimony.

Filthy ways

“Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their deeds. Their ways before me were like the uncleanness of a woman in her menstrual impurity.(Ezekiel 36:17, ESV)

That is vivid imagery, God is saying that their ways were like used sanitary towels.

God’s concern for his name

But I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they came.(Ezekiel 36:21, ESV)

God is rightly uppermost in His own affections, and has concern for the sanctity and glory of His name.

God centred

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.(Ezekiel 36:22, ESV)

God acts for His glory, not for us, this is the most noble thing God could do. It would not be good for us if God was man centred, it is to our benefit that God is God centred.

The miracle or regeneration

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.(Ezekiel 36:25–27, ESV)

This is a picture of the miracle of regeneration, where God changes our very nature so that we can serve Him as we really should.

God saves us for his own glory

It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord God; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.(Ezekiel 36:32, ESV)

We are not saved through our own goodness and we are no better than others, this was true for Israel too.

Creation, redeemed

And they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’(Ezekiel 36:35, ESV)

Redemption includes the creation, it is not just the people. How do we apply this today? The question of our responsibility before God, for the care of the earth, is an important one.

A people reborn

And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.”(Ezekiel 37:3, ESV)

The miracle of regeneration, not of the heart of man only, but also the very nation of Israel.

Proclaim (prophesy) the truth

Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.(Ezekiel 37:4, ESV)

We must declare the truth to those dead in sin, so that they might live.

The work of the Holy Spirit

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”(Ezekiel 37:9, ESV)

Symbolic of the Holy Spirit’s work in regeneration.

God made us alive

And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people.(Ezekiel 37:13, ESV)

We know God is real because we were dead in our sins and He made us alive in Christ.

Backsliding can be healed

They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions. But I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.(Ezekiel 37:23, ESV)

This is the context of where the word backsliding comes from, it is something that needs to be healed.

The Shepherd King

“My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes.(Ezekiel 37:24, ESV)

Jesus is the Shepherd King.

Revelation 18:1–24

God’s call to His people

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;(Revelation 18:4, ESV)

I believe this is God’s call to His people in the Roman Catholic Church and those in any other cult.

The queen of heaven

As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.’(Revelation 18:7, ESV)

The queen of heaven, this points to the false worship of Mary.

Capitalism will end

The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,(Revelation 18:15, ESV)

Capitalism (and all other isms) will end, it will be replaced by God’s theocratic kingdom.

Job 38:1–11

Don’t obscure good counsel

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?(Job 38:2, ESV)

Lord, I don’t want to darken godly counsel, and speak pure speculation without knowing the truth.

Where were you?

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.(Job 38:4, ESV)

God’s big question to His challengers who say He never created the earth, this statement alone is so humbling.

God’s humorous challenge

Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?(Job 38:5, ESV)

God even has a sense of humour when laying down this challenge.

The Angels were there

when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?(Job 38:7, ESV)

The Angels rejoiced when God created the earth.

God the greatest scientist

and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors,(Job 38:10, ESV)

God set the laws of physics in motion and maintains them.

God sets boundaries

and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?(Job 38:11, ESV)

God sets the boundaries of the sea… how awesome is our God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 18

Today’s Reading:  Ezek 34:1–35:15, Rev 17:1–18, Job 37:16–2

Today’s Theme: God’s Sheep

In today’s reading we read about Israel as God’s sheep. This also applies to the church now as Jesus called us sheep and as the Messiah is the Good Shepherd. We read about good and bad leadership and are reminded to pray for our Shepherds / Pastors.

It is wonderful to know that we have been called and chosen as God’s sheep, with the assurance that He will take care of us and lead us home.

Ezekiel 34:1–35:15

The ministry of a pastor

You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. (Ezekiel 34:3–4, ESV)

This outlines the ministry of a pastor and includes feeding the sheep with the word of God, strengthening the weaker brothers, healing the sick through prayer, ministering to those in emotional pain, going after the straying sheep, reaching the lost and ruling with gentleness. With this in mind say a prayer for our pastors today.

Sheep need instruction

My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. (Ezekiel 34:6, ESV)

Sheep need guidance, we don’t just need to be led to Christ we need instruction on how to grow in Christ to full maturity.

Sheep need to be led

Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. (Ezekiel 34:10, ESV)

Pray that Christian leaders would not devour the people but lead the people.

God found us

As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. (Ezekiel 34:12, ESV)

We are sheep, we don’t seek God He seeks us so we give Him all the glory for saving us.

God the good shepherd

I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. (Ezekiel 34:15, ESV)

Thank you Lord that you are our good shepherd.

Where leaders fail, God is faithful

I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. (Ezekiel 34:16, ESV)

All that leaders fail to do God will do and God seeks the lost Himself a well as the backslider and the hurting one.

The Messiah as shepherd

And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. (Ezekiel 34:23, ESV)

This is the great shepherd our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our deliverance brings knowledge of God

And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. (Ezekiel 34:27, ESV)

When we are delivered from the enslavement of sin we know that God is the Lord.

Humans are sheep

And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 34:31, ESV)

God makes it very clear that we are the sheep.

Flesh vs Spirit

Because you cherished perpetual enmity and gave over the people of Israel to the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, at the time of their final punishment, (Ezekiel 35:5, ESV)

Like the flesh against the spirit.

Don’t gloat

As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so I will deal with you; you shall be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 35:15, ESV)

Never rejoice at someone else’s misfortune, it may become your own.

Revelation 17:1–18,

Spiritual fornication

with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” (Revelation 17:2, ESV)

This sexual immortality is both political and religious.

Only two religions

And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” (Revelation 17:5, ESV)

The core Babylonian religion behind all world religion. In a sense there are only two religions one is the true worship of Yahweh through Jesus, the other which comes in a variety of flavours is the worship of man (or man’s ideas).

The book of life

The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. (Revelation 17:8, ESV)

All our names are not in the book of life by default, God knows those who are His.

Called, Chosen and Faithful

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14, ESV)

Thank you Jesus that we are called, chosen and faithful and we will be with You on that great day.

God is in control

for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. (Revelation 17:17, ESV)

God is sovereign over the enemy.

Job 37:16–24

Perfect Knowledge

Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge, (Job 37:16, ESV)

God is the only one with perfect knowledge.

Clothed in Majesty

Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. (Job 37:22, ESV)

God is clothed in majesty, wow.

True wisdom

Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.” (Job 37:24, ESV)

Lord keep us from being wise in our own eyes.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 17

Today’s Reading:  Ezek 32:1–33:33, Rev 16:1–21, Job 37:9–15

Today’s Theme: Open your eyes and rejoice

In today’s reading there is a call for us to open our eyes as God’s watchmen and open our mouths to warn others. To open our eyes to God’s will and not our own, to open our eyes to the reality of eternity. To open our eyes to the wonder of creation, to open our eyes to God in all these things and rejoice in and to His glory.

In opening our eyes to God we turn away from the allure of sin and the deceitfulness of the human heart. We need to open our eyes, see and repent.

Ezekiel 32:1–33:33

Superficial beauty

‘Whom do you surpass in beauty? Go down and be laid to rest with the uncircumcised.’ (Ezekiel 32:19, ESV)

Temporal physical beauty is no defence against death.

The conscious afterlife

They have made her a bed among the slain with all her multitude, her graves all around it, all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword; for terror of them was spread in the land of the living, and they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit; they are placed among the slain. (Ezekiel 32:25, ESV)

“They have made” and “they bear” are active verbs, they are currently bearing the shame, they are still alive in the afterlife which shows there was an understanding of the afterlife in the Old Testament.

Called to be watchmen

then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. (Ezekiel 33:4, ESV)

We have greater responsibility when we have heard the truth. God has called us to be watchmen in our city, declaring that men should flee the wrath to come.

The Gospel Trumpet

He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. (Ezekiel 33:5, ESV)

This mirrors the call to repent and flee the wrath to come preached in the Gospel. Blow the trumpet today.

A holy charge

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand. (Ezekiel 33:6, ESV)

If we do not warn those we watch over then God requires the blood of that person at our hands. We must warn them.

Save yourself

But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. (Ezekiel 33:9, ESV)

Boldly declaring and defending the truth delivers our own souls.

1 Timothy 4:16 says “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

Repentance can’t be forced

Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11, ESV)

God desires that all would repent, but in His wisdom He does not force it on all.

NOW!

“And you, son of man, say to your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him when he transgresses, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall by it when he turns from his wickedness, and the righteous shall not be able to live by his righteousness when he sins. (Ezekiel 33:12, ESV)

Our responsibility before God is not in the past or future, it is always in the now. Our connection with eternity is NOW! So, we can repent now and should persevere in righteousness now.

False vs True

Though I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, yet if he trusts in his righteousness and does injustice, none of his righteous deeds shall be remembered, but in his injustice that he has done he shall die. (Ezekiel 33:13, ESV)

God has not called us to false security in a false confession lived out in a false life but true eternal security through true confession with evidence shown in a joyfully sanctified life.

Repentance is required

if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, not doing injustice, he shall surely live; he shall not die. (Ezekiel 33:15, ESV)

God requires genuine repentance.

Don’t blame God

“Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just,’ when it is their own way that is not just. (Ezekiel 33:17, ESV)

This is so true, this is the number one accusation thrown at God when He is in fact so gracious. Don’t shift blame for your own sin and unrighteousness on to God, humble yourself and repent by turning to the only one who can help you

Works will be judged

Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways.” (Ezekiel 33:20, ESV)

Just like the church in Revelation, God knows and judges our works.

God’s promises are conditional

Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: You eat flesh with the blood and lift up your eyes to your idols and shed blood; shall you then possess the land? (Ezekiel 33:25, ESV)

We cannot live like devils and then tap into or claim the promises of God. God’s promises are predicated on right relationship with Him. Every promise of God has conditions in this way so they cannot be abused.

God is not a fool, or just a force of Karma like Hinduism teaches. He is the true God with three distinct persons who seek and must be engaged through relationship…Not dry religion, principles or manipulation.

What is your heart set on?

And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. (Ezekiel 33:31, ESV)

What is the point in listening to God’s word and sitting under teaching if our hearts are not changed and our minds are bent on evil. Sadly this is the picture of much of the church today. Some people just enjoy preaching.

As Pastor Dennis taught us a this time last year in Israel, we see through the eyes of our will and what the will has set it’s eyes on it will pursue. Unless we allow the word to change our desire to be God’s, we will never change.

Revelation 16:1–21

Ordained judgement

And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments. (Revelation 16:5, ESV)

Remember these judgements are ordained by God, they cannot be stopped.

Man’s wicked heart

They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory. (Revelation 16:9, ESV)

The wicked, stubborn, prideful heart of man revealed.

Be awake and ready

(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) (Revelation 16:15, ESV)

Lord help us to stay awake and be fully clothed for war.

Job 37:9–15

Nature, God’s tool

Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen.(Job 37:13, ESV)

This is insightful concerning the purpose of God using the natural elements.

Open your eyes and rejoice

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. (Job 37:14, ESV)

We should all do this like Jonathan Edwards, Spurgeon and Lewis we should pause and consider the great works of God in creation. The theory of evolution has tried to kill off this joy and glorification of God but we are missing out if we don’t open our eyes to the richness of God’s general revelation in nature

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 16

Today’s Reading:  Ezek 30:1–31:18, Rev 14:14–15:8, Job 37:1–8

Today’s Theme: God’s Self Revelation

Today’s theme looks at one of the Bible’s main overarching themes which is God’s self revelation. God reveals who He is to His honour and glory not only though His word, nature and the conscience but also through His acts of judgement and mercy.

Ezekiel 30:1–31:18

Worthless support

“Thus says the Lord: Those who support Egypt shall fall, and her proud might shall come down; from Migdol to Syene they shall fall within her by the sword, declares the Lord God. (Ezekiel 30:6, ESV)

When judgement and destruction are declared, no worldly support system can help a nation.

Proud might shall come to an end

At Tehaphnehes the day shall be dark, when I break there the yoke bars of Egypt, and her proud might shall come to an end in her; she shall be covered by a cloud, and her daughters shall go into captivity. (Ezekiel 30:18, ESV)

All great nations including ours should take note.

Then they will know I am the Lord

Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 30:19, ESV)

This is the recurring motivational and resultant theme in all the Ezekiel judgement passages.

Is God against you

Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt and will break his arms, both the strong arm and the one that was broken, and I will make the sword fall from his hand. (Ezekiel 30:22, ESV)

This is the real God of the Bible, not the Hollywood version which is the ultimate egalitarian entity with a narrow and naive love complex. No, beware God is not against you (because of your rebellion), if He is you have no chance.

God’s self revelation

And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 30:26, ESV)

The overarching theme of God’s self revelation. In this case shown through determining the outcome of battles and wars.

Abundant water

So it towered high above all the trees of the field; its boughs grew large and its branches long from abundant water in its shoots. (Ezekiel 31:5, ESV)

We need the abundant water of the Holy Spirit to grow.

We are mortal

“Whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? You shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the world below. You shall lie among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. “This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 31:18, ESV)

A reminder to great Pharaoh that he is a mere mortal and will soon die too.

Revelation 14:14–15:8

Great judgement

And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia. (Revelation 14:20, ESV)

This is a great and terrible Judgement.

To God be the glory

Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:4, ESV)

The end game for God is to get the glory He so rightly deserves.

Job 37:1–8

Passion for God

“At this also my heart trembles and leaps out of its place. (Job 37:1, ESV)

This young man had a real passion for the Lord.

God’s majesty

God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. (Job 37:5, ESV)

What a beautiful and poetic way to express God’s great majesty.

God’s providence

Then the beasts go into their lairs, and remain in their dens. (Job 37:8, ESV)

God’s providence over all creation.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 15

Today’s Reading:  Ezek 28:1–29:21, Rev 13:11–14:13, Job 36:24–33

Today’s Theme: False gods go to hell

In today’s reading we encounter the fall of Satan and the reality of an eternal hell. God has provided a way of escape for us through His Son Yeshua (Jesus).

We are just men (mankind) and are not little gods, let’s not be guilty of the same sin Satan was guilty of, let’s bow humbly and joyfully before the only God YHWH.

Demons and men who set themselves up against God as little false gods will go to hell for eternity. Even if you do not consciously call yourself a little god, you act as one by not submitting to the true God who is the creator and sustainer of all life.

Ezekiel 28:1–29:21

You are not a god

“Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord God: “Because your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas,’ yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god —(Ezekiel 28:2, ESV)

Lord, please keep us from this self deception. The Word of Faith movement teaches that we are little gods but this is ridiculous, only God is God.

You are just a man

Will you still say, ‘I am a god,’ in the presence of those who kill you, though you are but a man, and no god, in the hands of those who slay you? (Ezekiel 28:9, ESV)

Exactly, God says this to the new age today too who also teach that man is god. Men are just men, we stand in God’s mercy and grace and can in no way compare ourselves to the one and only almighty creator who made us.

Satan, the spirit behind the king of Tyre

You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. (Ezekiel 28:13, ESV)

This has to be talking about Satan, the spirit behind the man, because the king of tyre was not in Eden.

The devil was not created evil

You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you.(Ezekiel 28:15, ESV)

Satan was simply not always evil, the story is more complex than that, he was once blameless.

The fall of Satan

In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. (Ezekiel 28:16, ESV)

A guardian Cherub is what Satan was, but he became enamoured with his own glory. In some ways Satan’s life reflected that of the king of Tyre so what was Satan’s trade in heaven? The Bible is not specific but it is clear that whatever work this was, he did it in the wrong spirit.

Security and peace

And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.” (Ezekiel 28:26, ESV)

Jesus will bring security and peace to Israel one day. This is all part of Gods self revelation.

The great Dragon

speak, and say, Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lies in the midst of his streams, that says, ‘My Nile is my own; I made it for myself.’ (Ezekiel 29:3, ESV)

Satan was also the spirit behind Pharaoh

Rely on the Lord

Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the Lord. “Because you have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel, when they grasped you with the hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders; and when they leaned on you, you broke and made all their loins to shake. (Ezekiel 29:6–7, ESV)

The world is a bad and unreliable support system for us as Gods people, we should lean on the Lord.

Pray for Egypt

And it shall never again be the reliance of the house of Israel, recalling their iniquity, when they turn to them for aid. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.”(Ezekiel 29:16, ESV)

The restoration of Egypt although not to former glory shows that God had some kind of special relationship with them. We should remember this as we pray for Egypt today.

Israel was to know God as God, not Egypt in the context of this verse.

God, sovereign over nations

I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he labored, because they worked for me, declares the Lord God. (Ezekiel 29:20, ESV)

God is sovereign over pagan nations even when their leaders are governed by evil spirits.

Revelation 13:11–14:13

The restricted freedom of the enemy

and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.(Revelation 13:14, ESV)

The second beast does not have free reign, God is sovereign so it is only allowed to do what it does.

We belong to God

Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1, ESV)

Belonging to God, as opposed to the mark of the beast which brands men as belonging to him.

Gospel Essentials

And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Revelation 14:7, ESV)

Here are some essential elements to the Gospel message like fearing God, worshiping Him, being aware of His judgement and recognising Him as the creator. This is why evolution is antithetical to the Gospel.

Hell is eternal

And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” (Revelation 14:11, ESV)

Hell is eternal punishment befitting those who have offended the king whose worth is infinite and so payment for His offence cannot be measured in time. The following quote may be useful.

“…the seriousness of sin arises from what it says about God. God is infinitely worthy and honourable. But sin says the opposite. Sin says that other things are more desirable and more worthy. How serious is this? The seriousness of a crime is determined, in part, by the dignity of the person and the office being dishonoured. If the person is infinitely worthy and infinitely honourable and infinitely desirable and holds an office of infinite dignity and authority, then rebuffing him is an infinitely outrageous crime. Therefore, it deserves an infinite punishment. The intensity of Jesus’ words about hell are not an overreaction to small offenses. They are a witness to the infinite worth of God and to the outrageous dishonour of human sin.”

Piper, J. (2006). What Jesus demands from the world (pp. 97–98). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Called to endure

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. (Revelation 14:12, ESV)

We are called to persevere and endure as saints.

Your work is important

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Revelation 14:13, ESV)

Work is so important, this verse says our deeds follow us and in a way go before us to secure our rest.

Job 36:24–33

All men can see there is a God through creation.

All mankind has looked on it; man beholds it from afar. (Job 36:25, ESV)

General revelation of who God is in creation

The bible is scientifically accurate

For he draws up the drops of water; they distil his mist in rain, (Job 36:27, ESV)

Amazing scientific insight of the time regarding the way rain is formed.

The great provider

For by these he judges peoples; he gives food in abundance. (Job 36:31, ESV)

God is the great provider for all creation.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 14

Today’s Reading:  Ezek 26:1–27:36, Rev 13:1–10, Job 36:13–23

Today’s Theme: Sovereignty and Perseverance

Today’s theme looks at the sovereignty the Lord holds over the enemy. The Devil can only do what God allows within the enemies limited freedom. We also look at the perseverance of the saints which we are encouraged to pursue in the light of God’s sovereignty.

Ezekiel 26:1–27:36

God revealed in judgement

and her daughters on the mainland shall be killed by the sword. Then they will know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 26:6, ESV)

God can be revealed to us in blessing or in judgement…the choice is ours.

Prophecy fulfilled

I will make you a bare rock. You shall be a place for the spreading of nets. You shall never be rebuilt, for I am the Lord; I have spoken, declares the Lord God. (Ezekiel 26:14, ESV)

This prophecy is fulfilled, Tyre was never rebuilt.

The fall of Babylon

and down from their ships come all who handle the oar. The mariners and all the pilots of the sea stand on the land and shout aloud over you and cry out bitterly. They cast dust on their heads and wallow in ashes; (Ezekiel 27:29–30, ESV)

Reminds us of when Babylon falls in revelation.

Revelation 13:1–10

What God allows

Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, (Revelation 13:7, ESV)

God sovereignly allowed this, the devil can’t just do whatever he wants, only what he is allowed to do. So the devil’s freedom is limited and what God allows works within God’s wider plan to glorify His own name.

The perseverance of the saints

If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:10, ESV)

We are called to persevere as saints, we must resist the devil.

Job 36:13–23

Don’t cherish anger

“The godless in heart cherish anger; they do not cry for help when he binds them. (Job 36:13, ESV)

We should not hold on to (cherish) anger, it is like holding a hot coal in our bare hands close to our chest…A really bad idea, it will only hurt us.

God cannot be taught anything new

Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’? (Job 36:23, ESV)

God is the great teacher, none of us can teach Him anything. God never has to learn, Open Theism  is wrong (Open Theism is the idea that God does not know the future and is not totally sovereign and so is learning all the time… which is preposterous. Just because God has foreknowledge does not mean he planned it [predestined] or desired it).

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 13