Prophetic Prospective Daily Devotional

Acts 15:15

2009-11-20T08:33:00.005-05:00

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written.

For further study - Acts 15:1-18

Our extended portion for today's devotional reading is a record of a meeting of the “church council” at Jerusalem about 15 years after Jesus had gone back to heaven.

Remember, just before He left earth from the Mt of Olives in Jerusalem, Acts 1, our Lord told His disciples that they were to stay in Jerusalem until they had received “power” and then they were to give the people of Jerusalem the gospel message of how they could be saved, and be prepared for here and after death.

After Jerusalem they were to go to Judea and Samaria and then to the “uttermost parts” of the earth with this “gospel” message.

Peter, the preacher on the “Day of Pentecost” and a disciple of Jesus Christ, saw many results to his ministry and many Jews did get saved. But also remember, that it was Peter who went to Cornelius in Ceasarea and led this first Gentile to Jesus Christ as his Saviour.

Once converted, Paul also traveled around that region of the world and led many Gentiles to a salvation experience. With the conversion of these many Gentiles, some in the church in Jerusalem were concerned. They believed that a Gentile must first become a Jew and then a Christian.

Therefore, the church council in Jerusalem, with James, the head of the church, not Peter by the way, James called everyone together for this council. James had both Peter and Paul rehearse the exciting stories of Gentile conversions to Christ that they had witnessed and participated in during their traveling ministries.

The bottom-line result of this council meeting was that James stood and said, verses 13-18, that the scriptures agreed with what was happening. Salvation was, and is, for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. In fact, this is God's special program for today, "visiting the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His names sake", verse 14.

Then Jesus said, after God's plan for reaching Gentiles is complete, the Lord will return to build the “house of David” with Jesus returning to build His temple and then to rule and reign from it in fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant.

Romans 11:25 says this is God's program, "until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in". When the last Gentile gets saved, a number that only God knows, then Jesus will come back.

What an opportunity for each of us today, to witness to Gentiles as well as Jews. Just think, you could lead that last Gentile to Jesus, and then Jesus would come.

PRAYER THOT: Help me Lord, to be a witness of my faith for you, Jesus, to all people both Gentiles and Jews.

John 21:25

2009-11-19T08:53:00.004-05:00

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

For further study - John 21:12-25

To me this is an exciting passage of scripture for a number of reasons. The time is after the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the location is the shores of the Sea of Galilee, which is one of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Israel.

The disciples had been out fishing, verses 3-11, while the risen Saviour, Jesus Christ was on the shore actually cooking, preparing a meal for His disciples. I love His invitation to the disciples, "Come and dine", verse 12.

The opportunity to sit and have a meal with Jesus, the Messiah, would be such a blessing. One day we will join Him at the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb", what a day that will be for all of us who love Him.

There is a very interesting conversation that goes on between Jesus and Peter that gives us instructions for our own lives, if we appropriate this exhortation found in verses 15-17.

As we eavesdrop on the conversation we hear Jesus ask Peter three times if he, as a disciple of Christ, really loved Him. Each time Peter responded with, "Thou knowest I love thee".

The Lord's response to Peter was then for Him to "feed, My lambs", the ones that Jesus had given salvation. The exhortation from Jesus is, "If you love me, go work with those I have given eternal life". And as was the case with Peter, we will help them grow in their relationship with the Lord.

Another very interesting passage is the next part of the Lord's conversation with Peter, verses 18-24. In essence, Jesus says to Peter, that His trusted disciple, verse 18, would get old before he died.

Maybe at first glance you don't notice anything about this statement; however, as I thought about the fact that Jesus told Peter he would get old before he died meant that the Rapture could not have happened until after Peter's death.

A study of Acts reveals that Peter, along with the other disciples, believed that Jesus might come back to earth, after His ascension, at any moment. The truth be known, Jesus could not Rapture Peter out of this world, he was to die in old age.

What's exciting is that Peter worked as if the Lord could come at any moment and He went out with the other disciples and turned the world "upside down", Acts 17:6.

The personal application for us is that today, Jesus could call us at "any moment" to join Him in the air at the Rapture of the Church. We must follow Peter's example and go out and turn the world "right side up", it's already "upside down".

One more thought before we leave this passage, look at verse 25. All that Jesus did was not recorded for us to read in this book or any other book, only what He knew we needed to know.

The reason it was not written was that there is not a library, or even the world, that could contain all the books that should have been written about Jesus Christ. What a life Jesus lived.

PRAYER THOT: Help me Lord to be faithful to read Your Word so I can "feed Your lambs" as I also feed myself and await Your shout to join You in the air.

Matthew 24:37

2009-11-18T07:37:00.004-05:00

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

For further study - Matthew 24:37-51

In the devotional reading for today we take a look at the Olivet Discourse, a message that Jesus delivered to His disciples on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem on Monday afternoon of Passion Week.

The Lord had just told those there in attendance for this profound prophetic conference, with Jesus as the teacher, that the "generation" which saw the signs discussed in Matthew 24:4-15 would be the ones that would usher in the Kingdom, at the Second Coming of Jesus.

As the Lord was concluding this discourse He mentioned a very specific sign for people to look for as they awaited His Second Coming. Jesus mentioned in verse 37, "as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be."

By the way, this passage is speaking of the Second Coming, not the Rapture of the Church in the context of future events, Matthew 24:3.

Remember, in the "Days of Noah" the "ones taken", verses 40-41, were those who were taken to judgment, they drowned in the flood. It was Noah and his wife, his three sons and their wives, that were left.

The Lord also exhorted those awaiting the Second Coming to be working during the time before so that when the Lord does come back the Lord's servants would be blessed, verse 46.

This statement, "technically interpreted", is for those awaiting the Second Coming; however, it has a "spiritual application" for those of us who are Christians awaiting the Rapture. We need to be found faithful, working, in the Lord's work when the Rapture happens. There is a great significance to the Lord's statement about, the "Days of Noah".

Jesus had finished giving general "signs" and then He became very specific. The truth be known, there were three "Days of Noah"; the days before the flood, Genesis 4-6; the days during the flood, Genesis 6,7 and 8; and the days after the flood, Genesis 9, 10 and 11.

Verse 37 can be a stand-alone verse, because of the next verse, verse 38, which specifies the "days before the flood". The verse reads, "For as in the days that were before".

As we consider the "Days of Noah" after the flood, Genesis 10 and 11, describe Noah's great grandson, Nimrod, 10:8-10 and 11:4, as the world leader who went to Babel, today's Babylon or modern-day Iraq, to build a "great city" and a "great religion".

This was a rebellion against God's directive to Noah, chapter 9, verse 1, to "re-people" the earth after the worldwide flood. The "one world government", with a "one world leader", Nimrod, 4,500 years ago, and a "one world religion" in Nimrod's day, these are both prototypes of the one world religion and the one world government in Revelation 17 and 18, respectively.

The Lord's warning about the "Days of Noah" has present-day significance because in Noah's day the focus of the world was on Babylon and today the world's focus is also on Babylon, modern day Iraq.

The current world situation seems to be set for the Lord's return, His Second Coming. The Lord's exhortation, as revealed in verse 44, is to be "ready". There is also the exhortation in verse 42, to "watch". These both are pertaining to His Second Coming.

However, the "spiritual application" is excellent for us who are to "watch", and be "ready", for the Rapture, which could happen today.

PRAYER THOT: Help me to live today, Lord, as if this is the day the Rapture will happen.

Zechariah 13:9

2009-11-17T06:16:00.003-05:00

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

For further study - Zechariah 13:1-9

The book of Zechariah is a prophetic book that has a prophetic message to the Jews in the days of the Prophet, Jews that had just returned from the Babylonian Captivity.

Zechariah's prophetic book is full of prophetic passages for the First Coming of Jesus Christ as well as His Second Coming. One must be very careful how he interprets this outstanding book.

Zechariah was involved in a ministry of encouraging the Jews to rebuild their Temple, the Temple destroyed by the Babylonians. The Prophet also speaks of a Temple that Jesus will build at His Second Coming, Zechariah 6:12.

In our devotional passage for today, we find prophecy that pertains to the First Coming of Jesus and at the same time the Second Coming as well. Next to the prophetic book of Isaiah, Zechariah is the most prophetic book containing prophecy for the Lord's First Coming.

Verses 6 & 7 reveal a prophecy that looks to the Second Coming but describes what would happen to the Messiah at His First Coming. When Zechariah refers to "wounds in thy hands", it's a reference to the prophecy of Psalms 22:16, a Messianic Psalm and a prophecy fulfilled in the "crucifixion" of Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago.

Verse 7 reveals that Jesus, the "Shepherd", would be the one that they would "smite" and the "sheep would scatter", Matthew 26:31. There are a number of prophecies, over three hundred, in the Old Testament, about the First Coming of Christ.

Of course, Jesus fulfilled each and every one of those prophecies to prove He was truly the Son of God, the Messiah. In this chapter of Zechariah there is a very significant prophecy pertaining to the Second Coming of Christ.

Verse 8 speaks of the "slaughter" of many Jews during the coming time of judgment, the "time of Jacob's trouble". The number of Jews to be killed will number in the millions, in fact, the number will be around 8 million Jews killed during the coming days of judgment.

I arrive at this number by the number of Jews alive today, which is between 12-13 million around the world. Zechariah predicts that two out of every three of those Jews alive today will be killed. That's where I get the number 8 million, plus.

The worst "Holocaust" is yet to come. In Hitler's day only one-third of all Jews were killed that were alive during World War Two, some 18 million. This coming time of judgment will be the worst time in the history of the Jewish people.

The lesson that comes out of this terrible time in the future for the Jewish people is that one-third of the Jews that survive the coming Tribulation will be saved, verse 9. Those surviving Jews will call upon the Lord and say to Him that He is their God.

The Jewish people today need to hear and heed this warning. What a blessing if we could lead as many Jews as possible to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour before the coming "Holocaust".

PRAYER THOT: Thank You, Lord, for this prophecy that warns the Jews and alerts me to the coming judgment for Your chosen people. Help me to witness to Jews of the true Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Daniel 11:31

2009-11-16T08:22:00.003-05:00

And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

For further study - Daniel 11:21-35

This passage in the 11th chapter of Daniel's prophecy is a prophecy that has been referred to as a double fulfillment prophecy. It is a prophecy with a near time fulfillment and a future time fulfillment.

The passage is referring to the Grecian leader, Antiochas Epiphanes, who came to power 360 years after Daniel wrote the passage we're reading for our devotional today.

We are reading from, as it relates to the prophecy, the "near time" fulfillment of the prophecy would take place around 168-165 BC. Daniel pre-wrote history revealing that Antiochas would come to power and take control of Jerusalem with his mighty military force.

Antiochas and his men would desecrate the Temple by slaughtering a "pig", a non-kosher animal, on the “sacred altar” of the Jewish Temple. We know that Antiochas committed this blasphemous act on the Jewish date of Kislev 25, which corresponds to our calendar date of December 25th. This was done in 168 BC, as recorded in our devotional passage.

Though it does not mention Antiochas Epiphanes by name, it describes this Grecian leader and all that he does in relationship to the Jews, Jerusalem and the Temple.

Verse 31 details the incident as the "abomination that maketh desolate". Verse 32 reveals that "the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits". Daniel's prophecy about these people is describing a Jewish family known as the Macabees.

A father and his sons, who would rise up against Antiochas and ultimately run the "madman" and his military force out of Jerusalem and the Temple. The Macabees did that on Kislev 25, December 25th, 165 BC, exactly three years to the day after Antiochas Epiphanes desecrated the Temple.

After restoring the Temple and re-consecrating the Jewish worship center, the Macabees found a "flask" of virgin olive oil, enough to light the seven-branched menorah for one day. However, it stayed lighted for eight days, thus the Jewish Holy Day of "Chanukah", the “feast of dedication” and also known as the "feast of lights".

Jesus celebrated Chanukah as recorded in John 10:22. To this point in our devotional reading for today we have been discussing "history", the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy, verses 21-32, which happened in 168-165 BC.

However, there is another event which will be known as the "abomination of desolation" that will happen in the future, during the Tribulation Period. Daniel 9:27 is the prophecy that foretells the Temple in Jerusalem being desecrated at the mid-way point of the Tribulation.

Jesus confirmed this prophecy in his Olivet Discourse, Matthew 24:15. The prophecy of Daniel 9:27 and the confirmation of the prophecy of Matthew 24:15 require a Temple, on the Temple Mount, in Jerusalem for the fulfillment of the prophecy.

Of course, right now, there is not a Temple in Jerusalem but the Jews have all preparations for that Temple in place. They will erect the Temple right after the Rapture, which could happen at any moment. So keep looking up!

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for fulfilled prophecy in the past, which assures me that yet to be fulfilled prophecy will be fulfilled. Even so come Lord Jesus.

Ezekiel 36:22

2009-11-15T08:40:00.004-05:00

Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.

For further study - Ezekiel 36:6-22

In Ezekiel 34:13 the Lord, through the prophet Ezekiel, tells the Jewish people that He will find them wherever they were scattered and bring them into the land that He had promised to give them in the last days.

As we approach our devotional extended reading for today, in Ezekiel 36, we see that the Lord tells the Prophet to speak, to prophesy, to the land, the land that He had promised to give to the Jews.

As we read this passage, verses 6 and 7, we see what the Lord says to the land. He speaks to the land that had "born the shame of the heathen", and tells of the destruction of the land that God has designated for His use and land that He will give to His “chosen people”, the Jewish people, forever.

The Lord tells the land, the land on the earth He created, to yield fruit to the people of Israel, His people, verse 8. The land is to be productive and allow the men who He will multiply on the land of Israel, to turn the wasteland into a very fertile piece of real estate, verses 9 and 10.

The Lord even promises the Jews that the land they return to in the last days will be better than it was in the days of their forefathers, verse 11. By doing these things, for the Jews, with His promised land, they shall know that He is the Lord and they shall turn to Him.

During the year 2008 the Jewish people celebrated the 60th birthday of the Jewish State of Israel and the productivity of the land He has given these Jewish people. The year-long celebration of God's work in fulfilling His promises about the "land of Israel" has been a witness to the entire world.

There is additional information about the land and the Jewish people in verses 12-21. Please read these verses and rejoice with what the Lord is going to do. As you read these verses, remember, the land of Israel and the Jewish people are inseparable.

As we close our devotional reading for today, notice what the Lord reveals to the prophet Ezekiel. In verse 22 the Lord tells the Jews why they have been given this land in these days. It is not because the Jews have become obedient to God's Word or that they have done anything to honor Him and follow His will.

The reason God has given the Jews this land, at least a portion of what He has promised them, is because of "His Holy names sake", verse 22. When the Lord could swear by nothing greater He swore by His name that He would give the land to the Jewish people in the last days.

It's not because of Israel or Judah that the Lord does what He does, but for "His Holy names sake". By the way, that is why He does anything for each of us, as well, for "His Holy names sake".

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for keeping Your word and promises to me even though I am unworthy. You are an awesome God.

Jeremiah 33:20-21

2009-11-14T05:38:00.004-05:00

Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.

For further study - Jeremiah 33:1-26

This thirty-third chapter of Jeremiah is a confirmation of the great prophecy concerning the Davidic Covenant that the Lord gave to King David, II Samuel 7, some 3,000 years ago. That covenant is as true today as it was when the Lord gave it to David, the second King of Israel.

Within this chapter are some great promises, not only to King David, and Jeremiah the Prophet, but by "spiritual application," to us today, as well. Look at the first one in verse 3. "We can call upon the Lord for great and mighty things, that we knowest not." Please remember, this promise is in light of the principle of prayer in I John 5:14-15.

I must just take a look at the "mountain peaks" in this chapter due to time and space. Really, I could write for three days of devotions on this one chapter. Please read the entire chapter and dig out the great truths found in Jeremiah's writings.

In verse 15 God speaks to Jeremiah about the "Branch", that which is a name for Jesus Christ, Isaiah 4:2 and 11:1, Zechariah 3:8 and 6:12-13. God will raise-up the "Branch" to execute judgment and righteousness in the land of Israel.

At that same time the Lord will cause all who dwell in Jerusalem to dwell safely. Jerusalem will be called "the Lord our righteousness". Remember, the Davidic Covenant called for a Temple to stand in Jerusalem and a King to rule and reign from that Temple for the 1,000 year Kingdom, yet to come.

This thirty-third chapter of Jeremiah restates, confirms, afresh and anew that God will keep His promise to King David. Verses 20-21 tell us the only way God could break this covenant.

Jeremiah records the Lord's only "escape clause" to the promise, the day and the night would have to disappear from this time in history for the Lord to be able to break the promise. If day and night could be done away with then the Lord could also cast David away and the seed of Jacob, the Jewish people, as well.

Of course we can't make the day and the night disappear; therefore, there will be a Temple in Jerusalem and Jesus Christ, the "Branch", the Son of David, will rule and reign from there in the Kingdom He promised to King David and the Jewish people.

That is a promise that you can take to the bank. What is so precious to me about this chapter is that if the Lord can't break His promise to King David, He can't break His promises to me, the promises of salvation, provision, protection and all that He said will happen in the future. Praise His wonderful name.

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for being a promise keeping God, what a comfort that is to me.

Isaiah 63:4

2009-11-13T08:10:00.003-05:00

For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

For further study - Isaiah 63:1-6 & 61:1-2

In order to understand the harshness of this passage in Isaiah 63 you need to know some of the background of the passage.

The "day of vengeance" referred to by the Lord, speaking through the Prophet Isaiah, must be understood by looking back to Isaiah 61:1-2. This is the passage that Jesus Christ was asked to read in the synagogue in Nazareth, Luke 4:16-21.

In Dr Luke's record of Jesus in the synagogue you'll notice that our Lord did not finish verse 2, of Isaiah 61. The part He left out was, "and the day of the vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourn," Isaiah 61:2b.

In our key verse, verse 4, Isaiah has recorded the prophetic words of the Lord, revealing, before the fact, what the Lord will say in the day described by our devotional passage for today.

Isaiah asked two questions, the first in verse 1, "Who is he that cometh from Edom, from Bozrah?" This is the geographical location of Petra in southern Jordan. The Lord responds with, "I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save."

In verse 2 the second question, "Why is his apparel stained with 'red' like him that treadeth in the winefat?" The Lord responds to this question, verse 3, "That He had trodden the winepress alone."

The Lord said, their blood will be sprinkled upon His garments, "for the day of his vengeance is come", verse 4. It is in verse 4 that the Lord finishes the thought of Isaiah 61:2.

This prophetic account is what will happen after the Lord goes to the Jezreel Valley at the time of the “Battle of Armageddon”. After all the enemies are destroyed by Jesus Christ, He makes the trip to Petra, traveling the 176 miles predicted by John in Revelation 14:19-20.

The blood rises as high as the "horse bridles" for that trip. The blood comes from the bodies of the hundreds of millions of men who die on the "battle field." This will be a terrible time in history.

By the way, it is 176 miles from Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley to the entrance of Petra, the place “prepared by God” to protect the Jewish people in the last three and a half years in the Tribulation Period, Revelation 12:6.

This is the end time scenario of this terrible time of the end and the death of those who follow Satan instead of Jesus. It is a time when some of our loved ones may well be there because they have never trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

What we should do, now that we understand these prophetic truths, is warn our loved ones, and in fact everybody, of this terrible time of judgment ahead and invite them to trust in Jesus Christ today before it's eternally too late.

We should not just study this for knowledge but for that which will motivate us to warn others of the coming time of judgment, and then lead them to Jesus Christ.

PRAYER THOT: Help me Lord to learn so that I can warn the lost before it's eternally too late.

Genesis 15:18

2009-11-12T07:37:00.003-05:00

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

For further study - Genesis 15:1-21

This fifteenth chapter of Genesis is the record of the Lord making a "covenant" with Abraham, which is known as the "Abrahamic Covenant".

In Genesis 12 the Lord made a promise to Abraham that He would make this Gentile from Ur of the Chaldeans, the "father of the Jewish people", and would make from His descendants "a nation of Jewish people".

In Genesis 12:7 the Lord mentions that the Jews will receive a piece of real estate along with becoming a nation. The fact of the matter is that you cannot be a nation in this world unless you do have a piece of "land" for your nation.

That's the reason for the continuation of the Lord's promise, the covenant, to Abraham in Genesis 15. This covenant is what is called a "blood covenant", that's when the two participants, after having divided a heifer, a goat and a ram, the two making and receiving the "promise", walk between the parts of the slain animals, arm in arm and promising that if either one of them break the covenant the other will be able to divide asunder the person who broke the covenant.

Our passage tells us that the Lord, this appearance was of the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, that the Lord put Abraham to sleep and He walked among the parts of the animals saying that He is the one responsible for keeping the promise, not Abraham.

This covenant is the first of four covenants the Lord makes with Abraham and his descendants, the Abrahamic Covenant, the Land Covenant, the Davidic Covenant and the New Covenant.

Genesis 15 also begins to reveal the land that the Lord will give to the Jewish people. Notice verse 18 where we see that at least some portion of the land extends from the "River of Egypt", most likely the Nile River, all the way north to the Euphrates River at Lebanon's northern border.

This passage is only one of thirty-eight passages that describe the "Biblical borders" of Israel, the land that God will give the Jewish people. The thirty-eight passages describe a land, ten times what the Jews have today and will include half of Egypt, all of Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Kuwait, plus three-quarters of Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Maybe now you can see the reason for the problem in the Middle East. All of this land will only be given to the Jews in the “Kingdom to come”. By the way, when the Lord does give all the land to the Jews that He has promised them, it will be their land forever, even into eternity future.

This is God's promise to Abraham and the Jews. What I love about the Abrahamic Covenant is that the Lord made it to Abraham 4,000 years ago and we see the final fulfillment of the promise, seemingly very close at hand.

The Lord will keep His promise to the Jews and that's why I can believe He will keep His promises to me for eternal life and the future, as spoken of in Bible prophecy.

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for keeping Your promises to Abraham, the Jews and to me also.

Revelation 7:9

2009-11-11T06:34:00.003-05:00

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

For further study - Revelation 7:1-12

In my prophecy conferences across the United States and around the world, we set aside some time for "Prophecy Q & A". I love this time because it gives me the opportunity to respond to what someone really wants to know about prophecy.

Often I'm asked, "Will there be anyone that can get saved during the Tribulation Period?" Our key verse, verse 9, states that a large number of people will get saved during that time of coming judgment.

In fact, in verses 4-8 it speaks of 144,000 "male, virgin, Jews" who will be saved at the beginning of the Tribulation, a result of the ministry of the "two witnesses", Revelation 11:3-12.

These twelve thousand men from each of the twelve tribes of Israel will have a ministry of "evangelism" during the Tribulation and every person on earth, all six billion, will have an opportunity to hear the "gospel of the Kingdom", Matthew 24:14, and many will be saved.

However, there is a group of people who will not be able to receive Christ as Lord and Saviour. Those people will be the ones who have heard the “gospel” before the Rapture, understood the gospel and rejected the gospel, that’s found in II Thessalonians 2:8-12.

Notice there are three steps, “hear, understand and reject”. There will be no "second chance" to get saved during the Tribulation Period. There may be some who have heard, but never understood the gospel, those will hear and have an opportunity to get saved during the Tribulation.

The Bible truth that I have just explained may not fit with a fictional novel about the second coming. But remember, we don't get "doctrine" from novels, but from God's Holy Word, as found in II Timothy 3:16-17.

Those who get saved during the Tribulation Period are not known as Christians, all Christians leave the earth at the Rapture when the Lord Jesus Christ shouts for us to join Him in the heavenlies.

Those Jews and Gentiles left on earth at the Rapture, who trust Christ during the Tribulation, are called "Tribulation Saints". These Tribulation Saints will "rule and reign" with Jesus in His Kingdom to come, Revelation 20:4.

Peter wrote, in his last letter, II Peter 3:9 and 12 that the only reason Jesus has not called us up to be with Him is because He is not willing that any should perish but all should come to salvation.

II Peter 3:12 seems to say that we can hasten His return by leading people to the Lord. Please let this devotional encourage you to do all that you can to introduce Jesus to those who need Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

PRAYER THOT: Lord, help me to be a soul winner as I await Your soon coming.

Acts 7:55

2009-11-10T04:14:00.003-05:00

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

For further study - Acts 7:54-8:4

Our extended reading for today's devotional is the record of the first Christian martyr, Stephen, and the very first mention of the one who would be known as the Apostle Paul.

Stephen had been chosen as one of the first deacons, Acts 6:5, and was a man "full of faith and the Holy Spirit", verse 5.

Because the "Synagogue Council" was unable to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke, Acts 6:10, the Council brought this newly appointed deacon to address them with His own defense.

By the way, Dr Luke records that even the "Council" saw Stephen's "face as though it had been the face of an angel", Acts 6:15. Not only were the members of the Council present for Stephen's address but the High Priest at the Temple was there to hear Stephen speak as well, Acts 7:1.

What Stephen had to say, Acts 7:2-53, was so powerful that it "cut to the heart", verse 54, of those in the Council so that they rushed forward and "gnashed upon him with their teeth", verse 54.

Verse 55 has long been a puzzle to me, however, I think I figured out what was going on that day of Stephen's death. The verse tells us that Stephen, "just before he was cast out of the city and stoned", verse 58, looked up into heaven and saw the "glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God", verse 55.

My confusion was because I read in Hebrews 1:3, 8:1, and 12:2 that Jesus is now "seated" at the right of God in the heavens, Stephen saw Him "standing". I am not dogmatic but I believe that Jesus may well have stood up to greet Stephen, the first Christian martyr, as he entered heaven.

This record of Stephen seeing Jesus, whether "seated or standing", He is at the right hand of the Father, not seated on His throne, His "promised throne", since Jesus is not now "King" of His coming Kingdom.

God the Father will give the throne and the Kingdom to His Son after the Tribulation Period, at His Second Coming. Bible prophecy reveals that the time of His Second Coming is quickly approaching.

Verse 58 introduces us to an enemy of God. This is one who was fierce in his attacks on the Christians, the members of the Church at Jerusalem, 8:1. It was a man named "Saul" who would one day be a leader of these Christians.

Until that time Saul would bring about "great persecution" against the Church, 8:1, making "havoc of the Church", 8:3. Notice the positive aspect of persecution, verse 4, the Christians were "scattered abroad, going everywhere preaching the Word".

We can rejoice when persecution comes, it will allow us to change "opposition into opportunity".

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for being there at the right hand of God the Father as my special provider, help me to be full of faith and the Holy Spirit as Stephen was, and to turn opposition into opportunity.

John 17:24

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Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

For further study - John 17:1-26

Today's portion of scripture from the Gospel of John is the record of the "Lord's Prayer". But you may say, I thought the prayer, "Our Father which art in heaven", Matthew 6:9-13, was the "Lord's Prayer".

Actually the Matthew passage is the "Disciple's Prayer", the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray. It's the model prayer for all of our prayers.

The extended reading for our devotional today, John 17, is the "Lord's Prayer". It is the prayer that Jesus made to the Father on His way to the Garden of Gethsemane, right after the "Last Supper", the evening before Jesus would be crucified in Jerusalem the next afternoon.

It is a prayer worth reading over and over again. There are so many Biblical truths that we can glean from these twenty-six verses. As is the case always, I can only point out a few of these blessed truths or principles that we can, and must, appropriate for ourselves.

Verses 1-3 tell us that Jesus is the "way", the only way to "life eternal", the One that God the Father sent to give us this "life eternal".

On the evening just before He would be crucified, the next day, Jesus told the Father that He, the Son, had come to the point of the "finished work", He had been sent to do in this world, verse 4.

We also get a glimpse of the Lord's "intercessory ministry" as He prays to God for those of us who are His children, through salvation, verses 6-10. The prayers of Jesus, to His Father, were for the Father to "keep us", in the world. This is a world we will live in until He calls us up to be with Him at the Rapture, or we die and go to be with Him, verses 11-12.

We are reminded that though "we are still in this world, we are not of this world", verses 15-16. The Lord's Prayer for us is that we be kept from evil, verse 15. Verse 17 tells us how we can be "set apart", sanctified, in this word through His Word which is truth.

We see that as the Father sent Jesus into this world on a mission, we are also sent, by Jesus, into the world on a mission. I love verse 24. The Lord's Prayer to the Father is that those of us who are saved will be with Jesus, where He is, at this time.

This is a prayer that will be answered at the Rapture of the Church when we who are Christians will be caught up to be with Him in answer to the Lord's Prayer. I don't know about you but I can hardly wait for that to happen.

The Rapture could happen today, the Lord's Prayers could be answered today. Keep looking up, it could well be today.

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for Your prayers on my behalf and for Your intercessory ministry today. I await the day that Your prayer for me to be where You are will be answered as well, maybe today.

Luke 24:6

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He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee.

For further study - Luke 24:1-12

This portion of Luke 24 that I have selected for today’s devotional reading is a record of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as recorded by Dr. Luke. This event in history is the cornerstone of our faith due to the fact that Jesus Christ had to raise from the dead to prove He was who He said He was.

His resurrection is also proof that He can do what He said He would do, at this time in history and in the future. Jesus Christ died to take away our sin and rose from the dead to prove He was the one qualified to do that.

I could write a lot about the resurrection from this passage but I want to point you to several verses and share with you what may be some new thoughts for you to consider. Verses 4 to 6 are the portion of the text that I’m referring to for your consideration.

When the “Mary’s” arrived at the grave sight, verses 1-3, they found the “stone rolled away from the sepulcher”. They even entered the burial sight and did not see the body of Jesus. The body was gone.

These ladies, also saw “two men in shining garments” standing near the burial sight. As the women stood there “perplexed” the two men spoke to them saying, “He is not here, but is risen”, verse 6.

These two “men” had witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the only “eye witnesses” to the resurrection. They then gave testimony of what had happened to these ladies that had come to minister at the grave sight of Jesus.

It is interesting to me that there were also “two men” watching Jesus ascend into heaven, as recorded in another book that Dr Luke wrote to reveal the activities of Jesus. The book of Acts records the events of that day when Jesus went to heaven as His disciples watched Him go to “His Father’s house”.

Notice that in the account of the Lord’s return to heaven, after His resurrection, Acts 1:9-11, there were also “two men” standing by watching, verse 10. These men told those gathered there on the Mount of Olives that as He had gone to heaven, He would return to Earth someday.

I bring these two events, with “two men” in attendance at both, to your attention to have you consider that these “two men” are most likely the “Two Witnesses” of Revelation 11 who will have a three and one half year ministry from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Remember, a “witness” gives testimony of what he saw. During the Tribulation Period to come the “two witnesses” will be preaching and there will be many people that come to salvation through Jesus Christ, a result of His resurrection.

The message of the Two Witnesses during the Tribulation, at least the first of the seven years, will be that Jesus resurrected from the dead and He is coming again. That’s the “gospel of the kingdom” that will be preached to the whole world, Matthew 24:14, before Jesus comes back to Earth.

One of those witnesses will be Elijah, Malachi 4:5. I rejoice every time they sing at church the song, “We are living in the days of Elijah”. I do believe that we are living in “those days”. These “days” will be those that will follow the Rapture of the Church.

Remember, before the Tribulation, the time period of the ministry of the “Two Witnesses”, Jesus will shout for us to join Him in the heavens and that day could be today….so keep looking up.

PRAYER THOT: Dear Lord help me to realize that we are living in the “days of Elijah” and live, expecting Jesus to call us up to heaven at any moment.

Mark 14:25

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Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

For further study - Mark 14:12-25

This is Mark's record of what has been called the "Last Supper". It was actually the observance of the "Passover Seder" which is the "meal" where Jews celebrate the Exodus out of Egyptian bondage, which took place 3,500 years ago.

The "Passover Seder" is observed annually since the very first Passover, Exodus 12. It was at that time the Lord commanded the Jews to rehearse, at a special gathering, every year the Lord's provision and protection throughout these thousands of years.

The one-day "feast day" of "Passover", and the seven-day "feast" of "Unleavened Bread" are observed together, an eight- day celebration. The actual day of Passover was 24 hours, starting from the evening of Passover, during the time of Jesus Christ on Wednesday evening, until sundown on Thursday evening.

The disciples, Peter and John, had prepared the meal and they met together with Jesus and the other disciples in an "Upper Room", verse 15, in the city of Jerusalem for the actual meal and the other activities.

The ingredients of the meal were "roast lamb" that represented the "Passover lamb"; "unleavened bread" which represents the "separation between the bondage and freedom"; and "bitter herbs" which represents the bitter time in the Egyptian bondage for the Jewish people.

They would also have "bread and wine" in the meal. By the way, the wine was not an "intoxicating wine" because they weren't allowed to have "leaven" anywhere near the meal. Remember, grape juice can only ferment when leaven is added. That should settle an argument or two out there.

That night, Jesus and His disciples rehearsed the story of Passover and the sacrifice of the "sacrificial lamb". It would be at 3:00pm the next afternoon that Jesus Christ would be crucified on the cross to become our "sacrificial lamb".

Jesus became our "Passover lamb" by His death in Jerusalem, I Corinthians 5:7. Jesus actually fulfilled the Jewish feast day of Passover, for the Jewish people. We, as Christians, derive the spiritual benefits of our Lord's death, burial and resurrection which is our way to salvation, I Corinthians 15:1-5 and Romans 1:16.

After the "Passover Seder" Jesus instituted what we call the "Lord's Supper", the communion service, verses 22-24. Now, each time we celebrate the "Lord's Supper", the communion, we do it in remembrance of Him, I Corinthians 11:23-26.

Notice the last directive for the "Lord's Supper", "do this until I come." Each communion service should "look back" to what our Lord did for us; "look in" so we can get our hearts right with the Lord; and "look up" for Him to come.

As Jesus closed out the "Passover Seder", He said the next time He would join us for this sweet communion supper would be in the "Kingdom" that is yet to come.

What a heritage we receive from the Jews, and what prophetic truth in all that they are, and do today.

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord Jesus for being my "Passover", help me to tell others this great story.

Matthew 24:34

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Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

For further study - Matthew 24:27-36

The passage for our devotional reading today is another portion of the "Olivet Discourse", the message Jesus gave to His disciples during "Passion Week".

After teaching all day, on Tuesday afternoon of "Passion Week", Jesus started back towards the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus where He was staying, the days before His crucifixion.

As He left the Temple Mount area He had told the disciples that Herod's Temple would be destroyed and there would not be "a stone upon a stone". The disciples questioned Jesus as to when this Temple destruction would take place and they wanted Him to give them some signs of His Second Coming.

In Matthew 24 the Lord does not give any information about the Temple, as to when it would be destroyed. Jesus, in the account of the Lord's message on the Mount of Olives, in Mark 13 and Luke 21 does respond to the first question from the disciples.

The Lord did answer the question, requesting signs of His Second Coming back to earth, Matthew 24:4-26. In the passage we are reading today Jesus tells of His Second Coming, verses 27-31.

Verse 29 reveals that the Second Coming takes place, after the Tribulation Period. Remember, the Rapture is not mentioned in Matthew 24. The Lord's return to earth when He steps on the Mount of Olives, Zechariah 14:4, is what is in focus in this passage.

After telling of His return to earth, actually to the spot where He was seated teaching those gathered to listen to Him, then as He often did, the Lord used a parable to draw some conclusions.

At the peak of the Mount of Olives there are a number of fig trees. Remember, the time was the spring, since Passover was just a day away. As Jesus noticed the "fig trees" He would use them as an illustration.

Let me say Jesus is not referring to the "fig tree" as the nation of Israel. The "fig tree" is an example of how in the spring the new leaves will pop up on the bare limbs after the winter.

Jesus said that like the new leaves on the "fig tree", the signs, prophecies, that He gave that day would precede His Second Coming. Then Jesus said, "This generation, the ones seeing these things that He had talked about, verses 4 to 31, this generation shall not pass away until all these things be fulfilled", verse 34.

In other words the people that see all the signs, Matthew 24:4-31, when they see these prophecies being fulfilled, look up because they will be the generation alive when Jesus Christ comes back.

Remember, the Rapture takes place at least seven years before the Second Coming. I believe we are "the generation" seeing the signs happening and "the generation" that will see Jesus Christ come back.

PRAYER THOT: Help me Lord, to alert as many people as possible, alive in this generation, to be prepared for the Rapture, which happens before the Second Coming and could happen today.

Zechariah 12:1

2009-11-05T06:50:00.004-05:00

The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

For further study - Zechariah 12:1-14

Though we consider the book of Zechariah as one of the "minor prophets", I believe he is one of the "major Prophets", based upon his prophetic passages relative to the first coming of Jesus Christ, second only to Isaiah. In addition there is great prophetic significance in the book for the Second Coming.

As we begin our devotional reading for today, by reading the first verse of chapter 12, we are made aware of the foundation for the Lord's authority for giving prophetic truth to this ancient Jewish Prophet.

It's plain and simple, the Lord is not only a "giver of prophetic truth" but also the Creator, the One who "stretched forth the heavens and layeth the foundations of the earth and formeth the spirit of man within him".

Prophecy is unique to Christianity and the Bible for just that reason, the Creator of all things knows what will happen in the future. Creation and prophecy go hand in hand.

Next, the prophet focuses on the city of Jerusalem in the end times, verses 2-3. Verse 2 speaks of Jerusalem as a "cup of trembling".

Remember, this is "apocalyptic" literature, using a "symbol" to communicate an absolute truth. The rule for interpretation of apocalyptic literature is that another scripture passage will give the interpretation.

Proverbs 23:31 speaks of the "juice of the vine and when it is red, when it giveth it's color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright", the liquid is intoxicating and the exhortation is "to not look upon the cup."

This Zechariah passage is speaking of Jerusalem, a "cup of trembling," as being intoxicating. Those who have control over Jerusalem, and in particular the Temple Mount, to them it will become "intoxicating".

Verse 3 is speaking of how that control of the Temple Mount becomes a "heavy burden", a heavy weight too burdensome to lift. Today, those who control the Temple Mount, the "Islamic Trust", have become intoxicated with that power.

As usual I can only pick the "mountain peaks" of blessing in each passage. For example, look at verse 10, this verse has been misunderstood as it relates to its time frame. The verse does not happen after Jesus comes back, that's not until Zechariah 14:4, but instead it's happening today.

As the Jews stand praying and mourning today at the "wailing wall," or better known as the "Western Wall", they are looking directly at the location where Christ was crucified, where His hands were pierced.

The Jews, not yet realizing it, are "mourning" today for the One they pierced. Notice in verses 11-14 that this "mourning" is done with the wives and husbands separated. That's the way the religious Jews worship and pray today at the Western Wall.

As the Jews today are "looking upon Him who they have pierced" it is evident that we are living in the time Zechariah wrote about, the end times. Remember, Zechariah 14 is the Lord's return but, seven years earlier the Rapture takes place, and it could happen today.

PRAYER THOT: Thank You, Lord, for prophecy that alerts me to the nearness of the Rapture. Help me to live in light of these precious truths.

Daniel 10:12

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Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

For further study - Daniel 10:1-21

Our key verse for today's devotional reading is the very best statement found in the Bible for studying Bible prophecy. I'll get to this two-part reason for studying prophecy in a moment, but first some background on the extended passage.

Daniel is in his late 80's and under the leadership of the Medo-Persian Empire as he writes this prophetic passage, verse 1.

Daniel, in an effort to understand the times in which he was living and wanting to serve the Lord with more intensity, started a three week fast, verse 3, waiting to hear from heaven about the future of his people, the Jewish people.

The heavens heard Daniel's cries and the Lord God dispatched a "heavenly visitor" to the earth to meet with Daniel. A close look at the description of this "heavenly visitor" indicates that it was a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, verses 5-6, as compared to Revelation 1:12-15.

When Daniel saw the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prophet fell on his face, on the ground before the Lord. I love what Jesus said about Daniel, verse 11, "Daniel, a man greatly beloved." What a commendation from the "heavenly visitor" for a mere man. By the way, there is not one negative word written about Daniel in the entire Bible.

Now we come to verse 12, the two-fold purpose for studying prophecy. The Lord told Daniel that from the first day he "set his heart to understand the times", the Lord had started to come to meet with him.

The student of Bible prophecy can indeed understand the times in which we are living today. We must understand the times today so that we can make decisions today that effect tomorrow. Therefore, we must know today what will happen tomorrow.

Then, the second reason, or the result of studying Bible prophecy, is also in verse 12, "and to chasten thyself before thy God." In other words, once we understand the times we are living in, we must get our hearts right with God.

In verse 13 and 20 of our extended reading we see that Satan will dispatch "evil angels" to take control of "world leaders" for his own purpose.

The phrase "Prince of Persia", verse 13, is referring to a Persian leader that was a "demonically" controlled, "prince." Prince in this passage is a word used to describe "angels" and in this case, "evil angels".

Notice that Michael, the "archangel", is described as "one of the "chief princes", verse 13. This "Prince of Persia" is the villain, Haman, in the book of Esther, the evil leader who wanted to eliminate all Jews from the earth.

The "Prince of Greece," in verse 20, is none other than Antiochus Epiphanes of Daniel 11:20-35.

In the last days, Satan will dispatch "evil angels" to take control of world leaders to assist in his "Satanic game plan" for the last days, Ephesians 6:12.

Now, as Daniel, we can understand the times and why world leaders do what they do in our world today. Some times in this wicked world we see many world leaders that are actually under Satanic control. This "demonic activity" will only intensify as we draw closer to the Lord's return.

PRAYER THOT: Help me, dear Lord, to chasten my heart and live for you more so as I understand the times by my knowledge of Bible prophecy.

Ezekiel 34:30

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Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD.

For further study - Ezekiel 34:11-31

As we read the extended portion of our devotional for today there is one thought that is very evident, the Lord God is going to do something as it relates to the restoration of Israel and the setting up of the Davidic Kingdom.

We know this because the Lord God tells us what He is going to do and He makes it very clear not only what He is going to do, but also that He is the One who is speaking.

Between verses 11-29 the Lord repeats one phrase 18 times. The prominent phrase is, "I will", "I will" search out my sheep, verse 11. "I will" seek out my sheep, verse 12. "I will" gather them from the countries and bring them into their own land, verse 13. And " I will" feed them in a good pasture, verse 14

I have only given you four of the eighteen "I will's" of the Lord. These "I will's" are promises of restoring a Jewish people to a nation called Israel. I've often said, if God's Word says something one time, I believe it and that settles it for me. Once God's Word says something eighteen times we must pay attention.

From Ezekiel 1-32 God gave the Jewish prophet, Ezekiel, a "message of retribution". From Ezekiel 33-48 the prophet's message is "restoration", restoring the Kingdom people, the Jewish people; and restoring the Kingdom practices.

Speaking of the Kingdom, the Lord confirms the promise of the yet to come Kingdom, in verses 23-25. The Lord, through Ezekiel, tells the Jews that King David will be resurrected and will become a "shepherd" over the Jewish people.

The Lord tells the reader that the resurrected David will be a "prince", mainly because Jesus Christ is the "King" during the coming Kingdom Period.

The Lord says that there will be a "covenant of peace" made between God and King David. David returns to be a "prince", a co-regent with Christ in the Temple that Jesus builds, Zechariah 6:12.

A spiritual application of these promises, to the Jewish people, for us as Christians, is what God does in the last days with King David. David was a flesh and blood character, a man of like passion, and yet the Lord God returns David to an important place of service during the Kingdom.

God has a plan for each of us. We must be prepared to do His will in our life once we determine what His will is for each of us.

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for the opportunity to serve You. Please help me to be the servant that You want me to be, for Your glory.

Jeremiah 31:35-36

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Thus saith THE LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; THE LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith THE LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

For further study - Jeremiah 31:1-40

The date June 7, 1967 marked one of the most important days in Israel's modern day history. On that date, after almost 2,000 years, the Jewish people reunited their “holy city” of Jerusalem.

The Israeli Defense Force stormed off the Mount of Olives, down through the Kidron Valley, through the Lion Gate of the Old City, and on to the Temple Mount to capture this sacred piece of real estate for the Jewish people.

This was a very emotional moment for paratroopers who captured the entire Old City on “day three” of the Six Day War. Israel fought this war on 3 fronts and was victorious. The Israelis were under attack from the north by Syria, from the east by Jordan, and from the south by Egypt.

I remind you of this benchmark in Israel's history because of our devotional reading for today, as it relates to that day. The prophet Jeremiah 2,500 years ago foretold of a time in history future from his day that the Jewish people would return to their land after centuries of being scattered around the world.

Jeremiah 31:8-10 tells of how the Lord will bring the Jewish people from all over the world back "home." Jeremiah 31:17 reveals that these Jews gathered from the “four corners of the earth”, will be brought back into their land, into their own borders. Notice in Jeremiah 31:23, the Lord promises to give back to the Jewish people their Hebrew language.

Jeremiah 31:38-40 talks about the return of Jerusalem to the Jewish people, which was partially fulfilled on the date, June 7, 1967. I say partially because the city of Jerusalem will be a center of controversy until the Messiah, Jesus Christ, sets up His kingdom. Jesus Christ will reign over His kingdom from Jerusalem for 1,000 years.

Our key verses, Jeremiah 31:35-36, reveal to us the commitment of God Himself to His plan for the Jewish people. The only way that God would break His promises to the Jewish people would be if the sun, moon, and stars were to be destroyed in the heavens.

Jeremiah 31:31-33 records the "New Covenant" that is given to the Jewish people. The New Covenant lasts forever. It is referring to the time that the Jewish people accept Jesus Christ as Messiah and Saviour, and He becomes their God. It's a time, as well, when the Jewish people will be His people. This prophecy has yet to be fulfilled.

As we think of the reunification of Jerusalem on June 7, 1967, and with the other prophecies of Jeremiah 31 being fulfilled, we can know that the prophecy of Israel's salvation will also come to pass, seemingly in the near future.

PRAYER THOT: Thank You, Lord, for Your commitment to the Jewish people in the past, and the future. It is an assurance of Your commitment to me, as well.

Isaiah 51:11

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Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

For further study - Isaiah 51:1-23

This chapter in the prophetic book of Isaiah is like a "songbook" that contains great songs with lyrics, made up of Bible doctrine.

Our key verse is a prime example. Read slowly verse 11 and you can almost hear the melody that has been assigned to these words. In fact, the words of the verse speak of "singing and joy" as the way those that have been redeemed will return to Zion, Jerusalem.

Notice the "joy", it is "everlasting joy", joy that is forever. This is not "happiness" which is based upon "happenings" but instead "joy" that comes from the Lord. When you have "Godly joy", joy that comes from the Lord, "sorrow and mourning" shall flee away.

The One that gives us that " joy" along with a "song" for us to sing is the Creator of all things, verses 13 & 15. He is the "Lord thy maker". "The One who stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations for the earth, the One who divided the seas."

As the Creator, He can give us a song to sing and everlasting joy. The Creator is the same One who will protect His people, verses 16 & 23. The phrase "cup of trembling" is speaking of those who are "intoxicated with power", the ones the Lord will bring back to reality through judgment.

Before we leave this passage, look back to verse 3 and let me explain the "truth" found in this passage. This verse is speaking of the most sacred piece of real estate in the world, "Eden, the Garden of the Lord".

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is the original sight of the "Garden of Eden". (See my audio series, "Return to Eden".) This fact has been known by all Orthodox Jewish academic scholarship from the "beginning", 5,770 years ago.

Judaism believes that the original Garden of Eden is on the location of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem today. God's Word says that this is where all joy, gladness, thanksgiving, and the "voice of melody", singing, emanates from in our old world.

But notice the verse again, the Lord will return this spot to the Jews in the last days, Ezekiel 36:35 and Joel 2:3. This of course is the reason for Islam's strong desire to take control of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Where the Lord began all things, He will return to in the last days. It will be the restored "Garden of Eden" on the location of the Creator's Kingdom headquarters, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for the Word of God that explains current events in light of Biblical prophecy.

Exodus 25:8-9

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And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

For further study - Exodus 25:1-40

For our extended reading today we have selected more verses than usual. However, I think you will benefit by reading all forty verses of Exodus 25.

This chapter is God's instruction to Moses and the Jewish people on how to build a "dwelling place" so that he could "dwell among His people."

Exodus 26 actually gives details on the "tabernacle" itself. Chapter 25 gives the details of three pieces of furniture that will be in the Tabernacle, a "transportable worship center," and later in the "permanent worship center," the Temple.

These implements are the "ark," the "table of shewbread" and the "menorah," the golden candlestick. I hasten to remind you that each implement in the Tabernacle and/or the Temple, the sacrificial system performed at the Temple and all the activities of the Temple were all prophecies of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Let me take these three implements found here in Exodus 25 and explain that indeed they did look forward to the coming Messiah.

First, the "table of shewbread", this implement was to hold the twelve loaves of bread, a special type of bread, that would be made every sabbath and then this new bread would replace the week-old bread.

By the way the priests on duty that day were allowed to eat the older bread, that week-old bread, which they said was still fresh. This "table of shewbread" is a picture of Jesus who said in John 6:35 that He was the "bread of life".

The second item, the "menorah", the golden candlestick, would stand in the "Holy Place" in the Temple and give light for the priestly activities inside the "Holy Place".

This “seven-branched candelabra” was fueled by "virgin olive oil" which the priest would use to refuel the "menorah" each day. Remember Jesus said in John 8:12, 9:5, and 11:9 that He was the "Light of the world".

The third implement is the most sacred of these three implements, the "ark of the covenant". It was a rectangular box made out of "shittim wood" and covered with pure gold.

It had four rings, one at each corner by which the priest would transport the "ark". Inside the "ark" would be the "tablets of the Ten Commandments," a "container of manna" and the "budding almond rod." The "ark of the covenant" was indeed the "mercy seat" where on Yom Kippur the High Priest, once a year, would pour the “sacrificial blood”.

The "ark" represented the person of Jesus Christ and His redemptive work, the shedding of His blood. It was a model of Him to come. By the way, when you have the "real thing" you no longer need the "model."

The Temple that Jesus Christ will build at His Second Coming, Zechariah 6:12, will no longer need any of these implements, because He is the Messiah, the one these implements foreshadowed.

The Temple that will stand on the Temple Mount during the coming Tribulation Period (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, II Thessalonians 2:4 and Revelation 11:1) will have all three of these implements in it because it is a "false temple" for a "false messiah", Antichrist.

That Tribulation Temple is ready to be built, all preparations have been made for that Temple. The only thing that must happen before the Tribulation Temple is erected is the Rapture of the Church, which could happen at any moment.

Thus in light of the "any moment" Rapture of the Church, which includes me and you, if your saved. Let's keep looking up...........

PRAYER THOT: Dear Lord, help me to live in light of the "any moment" Rapture of the Church, which includes me.

Genesis 12:3

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And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

For further study - Genesis 12:1-9

The Lord's promise to Abraham, known as the "Abrahamic Covenant" was made to Abraham before he ever left his home in Ur of the Chaldees. God promised this Gentile man that He would make him a great "nation" with a piece of the land to go along with the nation.

This nation would be a blessing to all people of the world, if they blessed the nation that Abraham would Father. As you continue to read through the book of Genesis, you will see that the promise to Abraham was also confirmed to his son and his grandson; Isaac, Genesis 26:2-3 and Jacob, Genesis 35:12.

Remember, Abraham is not the “father” of the Arab world but the father of the “Jewish nation”. The Abrahamic Covenant is the first of four covenants that God has made with the Jewish people. The "Land Covenant," Deuteronomy 30, is an extension of the Abrahamic Covenant.

To be a "nation" of people, you must have a piece of “real estate”. God mentioned to Abraham in Genesis 12 that the land he passed through on his way South from the "Fertile Crescent", modern-day Syria, that the land would be given to him and his seed, the Jewish people, verses 5-7.

In Genesis 15, there is additional information about the Abrahamic Covenant and the land promised to Abraham in the covenant. We will look at Genesis 15 in another devotional but suffice to say that the Abrahamic Covenant was what is called a "blood covenant." This is a covenant that, if broken, results in the giving up of the life of the one who breaks the covenant or promise.

Genesis 15 says that Abraham actually slept and only the Lord made the covenant, thus this is an "unconditional covenant", only the Lord is responsible for the promises and their fulfillment. By the way, Genesis 15 explains that the land promised to the descendants of Abraham, the Jewish people, will be ten times what they have today, more on that when we come to our devotional reading in Genesis 15.

What is such a blessing to me is that the Lord makes commitments or covenants and obligates Himself to keep them. Some churches say that God has finished with Israel and turned His blessings on the Church. That is what is called "Replacement Theology" - God has replaced the Jews with the Church and has no future program for the Jews.

That is not the case according to our reading today. The Abrahamic Covenant is "forever," as given to the Jewish people. Therefore, we can rest assured that any promise the Lord makes to Christians about eternal life will be fulfilled also.

Should the Lord break His covenant with the Jews, He could break His promises to us as Christians. He cannot break either of the promises, the Abrahamic Covenant or the promise of eternal life to the Christians.

The Lord does have a program for the Jews in the future and we can see the stage being set for that program to come to pass, seemingly in the near future.

PRAYER THOT: Thank You Lord for being a covenant keeping God.

Revelation 6:17

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For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

For further study - Revelation 6:1-17

This sixth chapter of Revelation is the prophecy of six of the seven Seal Judgments that will come upon the earth and it's inhabitants during the seven year long period of judgment known as the Tribulation Period.

Throughout the entire time of the Tribulation Period there are twenty-one judgments, “three sets of seven” , seven "seal" judgments, seven "trumpet" judgments and seven "vial" judgments that unfold.

These twenty-one judgments get progressively worse and will intensify as the Tribulation Period unfolds. These initial six judgments in Revelation 6 are the beginning of the terrible time to come upon the earth.

A quick look at the six judgments reveal how the seals are broken on the “sealed book”, most likely a single scrolled book, and each seal is broken by the Lamb, verses 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12. The “Lamb”, of course, is the person of Jesus Christ, who will bring these judgments upon the earth in the Tribulation Period.

The judgments are released upon humankind on the earth, after the Rapture. All six of these judgments happen in the first three and a half years of the seven-year long judgment period.

In verses 1 and 2 we see a man on a "white horse", who is the "Antichrist". This satanically energized person is the one who tries to fool the world into believing that he is the long awaited Messiah.

Verses 3 and 4 reveal a man on a "red horse" who comes to take peace from the earth, it's the judgment of "war" released upon humankind.

The man on a black horse, verses 5 and 6, is the judgment of famine, which when it calls for a "measure of wheat" for a "penny" that is referring to enough wheat to make bread for a family of four for one day at the cost of a days wages, a penny.

The fourth seal is depicted as a man on a "pale horse". When this judgment is released "one-fourth of the earth's population is killed." That will mean 1.5 billion people will die as a result of this judgment.

Verses 9 - 11 describe those who will be "martyred" for their testimony. They are not Christians but people who will come to Christ after the Rapture, during the first of the Tribulation Period.

The sixth seal, verses 12 - 14, will be "ecological" judgments upon the earth, earthquakes, and in the heavens.

These judgments that happen early in the Tribulation Period are events that seemingly are in the process of coming about today. Jesus said when you see these things happening, Matthew 24:4-7 and 32-34, you can recognize that this is the time of His return to the earth.

However, remember that the Rapture of the Church takes place seven years before He comes back to earth. The fact that we can see the stage being set for these six seal judgments, indicates that the Rapture could not only happen at any moment but it could happen soon, even today.

PRAYER THOT: Help me Lord to live today as if the Rapture could happen this day.