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The Tower of Babel and the Gift of Tongues

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Matthew  records Jesus telling his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. God gave them the ability to speak with people from all over the known world without learning their language

At the time of Noah the Bible informs us that Noah and his family only spoke one language probably Hebrew. God had given instructions to Noah and his sons, “Go and be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” Genesis 9: 1,7.

However, they did not move very far after the flood, they went to a place on the plain of Shinar with their families and decided to settle there and they started to build a city and in the city they built a tower.
They built the city and tower of bricks, these were made out of clay and straw and then hardened in a fire which made them strong.                      

But they had forgotten what God had called them to do, to go and live to different places to populate the earth.

So God confused their language so they had to learn how to speak different languages so they left the city some went to the North, some to the East, and South and West. Some members of congregation spoke in various languages, without giving the meaning.

Matthew records that Jesus told his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. How amazed the disciples must have been when these foreign words came from their lips and the people around them knew what they were saying. (Go back to those who spoke earlier and ask for their interpretation of what they had said.)

Only the God who had confused the language of Noah’s family who gave them different languages could enable the disciples at Pentecost to speak with people from all over the known world without learning their language in order to tell them about Jesus.

Some hearing the disciples were amazed and confused, other mocking said, “They were filled with new wine,” saying they were drunk. Acts 2: 13, 15.

But in fact those who commented were making a connection with Isaiah 28 “These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are confused with wine.” Isaiah 28: 7

Peter said they were not drunk as they supposed, Isaiah prophesied in same chapter verse 11, 12 “Nay, but by men of strange lips and with an alien tongue the Lord will speak to his people.” And in the following verse, “Yet they would not hear.” RSV Bible

What a tremendous sign that God was in their presence, yet we read in Matthews Gospel that as they stood with Jesus on the mountain in Galilee some doubted. 

St Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians Chapter 14 he quoted from Isaiah 28 to explain the Holy Spirit’s gift of tongues. The Spirit gives a message to a person in any one of the approximately 2,700 languages in the world. 
In verse 10 he wrote, “There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning,” so the message is given in a language either with the interpretation from the same person speaking in tongues or by another person who has the gift of interpretation of a message given in tongues.                                                                                                                        

Paul makes point that the Holy Spirit’s gift of speaking in a foreign language it is so that the unbeliever hearing will be blessed by the interpretation of the message, he says,  “The secrets of his heart is disclosed; and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among them.” The Lord touching the point of need.

In the time of Noah and his sons, God gave them a directive, “Go and be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”  Gen 9: 1,7 But we read that they were reluctant to go and be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth with their descendants.  

Under the leadership of Nimrod the mighty warrior they only managed to go as far as the plain of Shinar (Babylonia) or modern day Irac.  We read in Genesis 10: 10 that Babel was the beginning of Nimrod’s kingdom. 

In Babylon they decided to stay and build a city and tower. The tower being a monument to their achievement, their pride and ambition.

Stepping out in faith is not easy like Noah’s son’s families felt secure being together in their city, it took the confusion of tongues to fulfil God’s command for them to go and fill the earth.

In the days of Peleg the earth was divided. 
“To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg (for in his days the earth was divided.” 1 Chronicles 1: 19

Some translations translate that this was at the time when the languages were given. 
Amplified Bible “To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, because in his days (the population of the earth was divided(according to its languages), and his brother’s name was Joktan.” 
When the Hebrew scribe wrote that the earth was divided surely it means that it was the time when the earth’s plates separated to form continents and islands.                                              

Jesus words to his disciples, “Go and make disciples of all nations.”  

There are varying views as to how long the church community remained in Jerusalem. After due consideration I estimate it would be approximately 4 years. The church met daily in the temple and broke bread in their homes, many thousands of people came to faith. But it took the start of persecution against the church to fulfil Jesus’ command for them to go from Jerusalem and make disciples of all nations.

It was after Stephen was brought to trial and later stoned to death that the persecution of the church began. “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.”  Acts 1: 8,  8: 1.

The Messiah’s Secret – The Apostles remained in Jerusalem. 

“The apostles remained in Jerusalem as they were expecting Jesus to return. The evidence for this is clear in Mark’s Gospel Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” Mark 9: 1 After the lame man was healed Peter and John witnessed that they had acted in ignorance when they had Jesus crucified and if they repented God would send Jesus to establish the throne and kingdom of King David. (The times of refreshing)” Acts 3: 17 -26. 

The leaders of the nation had been given the opportunity of accepting Jesus as their Messiah when they heard for the first time Peter publicly proclaim that Jesus was the Christ. Caiaphas the Chief Priest could not discern the prophecy that God had given to him ‘that one man had to die to save the nation.’ John 11: 49-53. 

In the plan of God the Messiah’s death was hidden from their understanding so that the Christ would die to save not just Israel but become the Saviour of the world and that one man  was Jesus.”

The same commission for the church today.

For us today to fulfil Jesus’ same commission to go and make disciples of all nations, it is not easy to step out of our comfort zone, for every Christian there is a cost involved, Jesus told the parable of the cost of being a disciple in Luke 14 Jesus spoke of ‘Taking up your cross.’

Taking up your cross  it speaks of suffering and dying to self in order serve the needs of others 

The Lord calls us to serve others in their need Isaiah wrote that the Lord strengthens the weak, he brings hope were there is none. and so God uses us to bring God’s  love  to help those who are desperately in need  of the Lord to give them hope for the future. 

        

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GOD THE FATHER OF LIGHTS

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God the Father of Lights.

James the brother of Jesus, identifies God as the Father of Lights, this title is referred to in Daniel 12: 3 as the stars being the heavenly lights, that is just one aspect of the Light of God. Another aspect: James writes, “Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the ‘Father of Lights’ with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1: 17. God is light, therefore, in God there is no darkness. There are no variations in God’s light, so there are no shadows. In the heavenly city the light is continuous, “They (the Church, the body of Christ) shall see his (God’s) face, and his name shall be on their foreheads. And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22: 4,5. 1 John 1: 5.

God’s light reveals ‘truth.’ James continues to write in verse 18, “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth,” James stands out as a person who disbelieved his brother when he said that God was his Father, and that he had been sent by his Father into the world. James was in darkness in his disbelief. John 7: 4,5. It was after Jesus’ resurrection on that day, when he saw his brother Jesus risen from the dead, then he believed in him. 1 Corinthians 15: 7. Acts 1: 14.

James in verse 18 uses the plural  ‘brought us forth.’ The disciples after Jesus’ resurrection where based at the house at Jerusalem, and when they heard from the women the angel’s message, that Jesus was risen from the dead, they did not believe the women. Luke 24: 11.  Most people have heard the account of doubting Thomas, it was after Thomas saw Jesus and touched him, that he fell to his knees and said, “My Lord and my God.” John 20: 27,28. Afterwards all eleven apostles believed in Jesus and James and his brothers met with Jesus’ followers 120 Christians both men and women at the house at Jerusalem.

Today, it’s okay to change your mind from disbelieving about Jesus, to start a journey of faith in the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit draws people to Jesus, like a moth is drawn to the light. The way we come to Jesus varies through hearing a Christian witness or God speaking to us in some way,

Janet’s testimony – I came to know Janet through the Churches Together Committee in Haslingden in the early 1990’s. Janet was one of Lynn’s Ecumenical Group, who met to pray for the unity between Christians. Janet wrote down her testimony and has allowed me the privilege of sharing her encounter with the Lord Jesus.

Janet writes, “First, I would like to explain that before the event I am about to describe I finally have forgiven someone, I mean truly forgiven. A few days later, I was walking with our dogs along the disused railway in Helmshore, the town where I live. It was a pleasant day, very still. Suddenly, I felt a wind blow up, but nothing was moving. Then in front of me I saw a life size Jesus on the cross. He was dead, his body was grey, stone like, and I could not bear to look, so I turned away. In that moment, I felt all the wrong that I had done being taken away from me by Jesus, however, I did not want him to do this, because in that moment I also physically felt the pain that I had caused him through my sin. I felt ashamed and started crying. The next minute I felt a presence next to me. I was not sure if it was Jesus or God, but I could not see anyone. All the weight I had been carrying inside had been taken away. I felt so happy, so clean. Everywhere was so beautiful, the colours were so bright, I had never seen colour like it before.”  

As a result of Janet’s acceptance of what Jesus had done for her, that is bearing her sin upon the cross, she found that the way was opened for her to be reconciled to God, our Father and creator.

Most people, who receive forgiveness through repentance, do not experience Jesus’ pain. However, Janet felt Jesus take her sin upon himself and therefore she experienced a tangible release from pain through forgiveness.

Another of aspect God’s light, Jesus stated that he is light of the world, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8: 12

In some countries in the world Christianity is frowned upon. The darkness is deep and seems impregnatable.

The Chinese Pastor Brother Yun was arrested for publicly preaching about Jesus.  He refused to deny his faith in Jesus and as a result he was imprisoned and tortured. In his prison cell, he initially felt downcast, but he made the decision to praise the Lord for being able to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.  As a result of the suffering of Pastor Brother Yun and other Chinese Christians because they refusing to deny Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, the Holy Spirit is convicting people (of the sin of unbelief) and the church has grown in China. Chinese Pastor Brother Yun ‘Heavenly Man.’ Pages 56,57. Published by Monarch Books Oxford U.K 2004.

The word of truth that Jesus gave his disciples and James is the light that produces an abundance of life in this life and eternal life. All the promises that Jesus gives, and Father God’s promises are ours through faith in Jesus. 2 Peter 1: 3,4.

Prayer – Father God, I pray for people to be enlightened about Jesus the Son of God and for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit from your Churches into the communities. In the name of the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

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Israel’s Belief that their land is the Messiah.

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The world is in chaos: wars between nations and civil wars and adding to the chaos climate change the demise of our beautiful earth looms over future generations. The daily TV news feeds on the discord and moral decline of the rich and famous. Yet, despite all this there is hope in my heart that the pain and the suffering will cease as God steps into our world, in the return of the Messiah Jesus.

The Israeli – Hezbollah Palestinian argument as to who has historical rights over the land of Canaan. (Palestine). After the flood, the land (Canaan) took the name of Noah’s grandson, Ham’s son Canaan. Also, the land of Egypt, takes its name from Ham’s son Egypt. The land is still named Egypt today.   “The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan.” Genesis 10: 6.

Abraham’s origin is found in Genesis 11:27-29. Abraham the father of the Hebrew people. God gave his promise to Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation and to go to the land of God’s choosing.  Genesis 12: 1-3. “God said to Abraham, “And I will give to you, and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojourning, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” Genesis 17: 8.

God’s Covenant with Abraham, The writer of Hebrews tells us that Abraham looked for a heavenly city whose maker and builder was God. “Abraham looked forward to a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. . . .But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11: 10,16.

King David’s looked for Abraham’s hope in 1 Chronicles, “For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as all our fathers were our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.” 1 Chronicles 29: 15. As God’s people their hope was to abide in God and live in the land where God dwells permanently, for eternity. 

Strangers and Sojourners

RSV Bible Study Notes Genesis 47: 9. “Scripture describes believers of every age as strangers, pilgrims, sojourners, and exiles. Believers are not of this world (Jn. 17: 16). Rather they: (1) look for the city whose maker is God (Heb 11: 16). (2) live in the fear of God during the days of their temporary sojourn (1 Pet 1: 17); (3) constitute a heavenly commonwealth (Phil 3: 20). Exposed to persecution by the world (Jn. 17: 14) they are not to be anxious about earthly concerns (Matt 6: 25). They are to lay up treasures in heaven (Matt 6: 19) abstaining from the passions of the flesh (1 Pet 2: 11) and shining as lights in the world (Phil 2: 15). Eyre & Spottiswoode RSV Study Bible Harold Lindsell. Zondervan 1971.

Jewish people believe that the land of Israel is the Messiah.
I was invited to attend the CCJ The Council for Christian and Jews Shoah Seminar at Menorah Synagogue in Manchester England May 5th, 2000, This day was in preparation for the first Holocaust Memorial Day in our area, which was to take place on 27th January 2001. ( Notes taken at the seminar) “The Rabbi of Menorah Synagogue spoke on the Holocaust, He said, Holocaust means ‘burnt sacrifice.’ He referred to the Jews that had been taken by the Nazis to the concentration camps fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 53 ‘the suffering servant.’ He said that the people of the Holocaust were the burnt offerings for the atonement for their nation’s sin against God. Also, the Rabbi stated that God established the new covenant when the state of Israel came into being after the Second World War, and that the land of Israel, was their Messiah.”                                                                                                                                                          

Whilst I respect Rabbi’s interpretation of his own Jewish scriptures, as a Christian through the churches study of the Hebrew Scriptures, I see the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the ‘suffering servant’ in Jesus’ suffering and subsequent death on the cross fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus being the sin bearer for the people of Israel and all humanity. Isaiah prophesied, “When he makes himself an offering for sin.” Isaiah 53: 10

Jesus’ body was not consumed by fire, nor was he corrupted by sin. The apostle Peter stated in his address to the crowd at Pentecost, “David foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus, God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.” Acts 2: 31, 32. Psalm 16: 10. 49: 9.    In his bodily resurrection Jesus did a complete work of redemption. Not only redeeming the believing Jewish people, but people from across the world, those who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Messiah, the descendent of King David establishing his kingdom on the earth, as it is in heaven. Come, Lord Jesus, come. John 3: 16. John 17: 1-3,20 Matthew 6: 8-10.

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The Jewish People supposed the Kingdom of God would appear. second part the church reigns with Christ for one thousand years

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After Jesus’ meeting with Zacchaeus the Jewish people supposed the Kingdom of God would appear.

Jesus met Zacchaeus as he passed through Jericho. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector a rich man. He was curious to see who Jesus was, but because of his height he could not see over the crowd. So, he ran ahead in the direction that Jesus was travelling and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner. ”And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”  Luke 19: 5-10 RSV Bible

Zacchaeus said to Jesus, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.”  Because of Zacchaeus’ repentance and his faith in Jesus,  “Jesus said, “Today, salvation has come to this house, since he is also a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” Luke 19: 8-10.

Jesus proclaiming Zacchaeus’ salvation through him proposing to give generously to the poor and by keeping the Law restoring four-fold those who may have been defrauded.  It was expected that the Messiah would uphold the Laws of Moses and establish the Kingdom of God.

After Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus, Luke then recorded  the expectation that the people and leaders of Israel they were looking for the Kingdom of God. Luke writes, “As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and because they supposed the Kingdom of God would appear.” Luke 19: 11.

Looking for the Kingdom of God.

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the council is recorded by Mark as this was his hope, “When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath,  Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.” Mark 15: 42,43.

John the Baptist’ message, to those who were looking for the Kingdom of God. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Paul speaking at the Synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia said, “Before his coming John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.” Acts 13: 24

Jesus constantly spoke to people about the kingdom of God. Luke records Jesus saying,” But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” Luke 4: 43 Jesus  made changes to the law of Moses: Love your enemies, Judge not and you will not be judged, give and it shall be given to you above the measure you give and to do good on the Sabbath day even though it may be classed as work.  (Sermon on the Mount)

Jesus ‘message,’ “Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news.” Mark 1: 14,15.

Jesus the ambassador of the Kingdom of God. God’s love in their midst. Luke 17: 21. Good news to those ‘looking for’ and seeking God’s kingdom.

Jesus taught about God’s kingdom through parables.

Jesus knowing their expectation that the Messiah would gather an army together to defeat the Romans and remove them from their land, by doing this he would restore the land and throne of King David. Jesus  proceeded to tell them the parable of the pounds – Jesus described in the parable:  A nobleman who planned to leave his servants in charge of his property whilst he went away to another country. Before he left, he gave each of them £10 to trade with. On his return he expected that they would have traded well and increased the amount he gave them. Those who did well, they would be rewarded. Those who did not do any trading would leave his employment. The parable indicated the delay in the return of the Messiah, (Nobleman) and that he was  leaving his disciples in charge to continue his ministry until he returned. Mark 13: 32-37.

“Because he was near Jerusalem and because they supposed the Kingdom of God would appear.”

Jesus told his disciples why he was delayed in bringing in the kingdom.

Jesus informed his disciples that he would die at Jerusalem and rise from the dead. “From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” Matthew 16: 21,22.

Even his disciples did not understand why the Messiah had to die and what rising from the dead was about.

Peter’s response, “God forbid, Lord! This should never happen to you.” Peter’s response coming from the teaching that the Messiah’s coming was his ‘return’. The disciples were taught from the law that the Messiah would not return and die he would remain forever. “The crowd answered, “We have heard from the law that when the Christ comes, he will remain for ever.” John 12: 34. The Jewish people were looking for the return of the Messiah. Jesus was the Messiah during his ministry, but he told his disciples to tell no one.

Luke records Jesus saying, “I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled!  I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished!” Luke 12: 49,50. The fire was the day of God’s wrath, a day of judgement. The baptism was of his death, to redeem all humanity from eternal death through sin, the wage of sin is death.

Jesus’ victory over sin and death on the cross, by the power of his resurrection from the dead, Jesus completed his Father’s plan of reconciling humanity to God. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”. John 3: 16.

After Pentecost, the apostles were expecting the return of Jesus the Messiah (Nobleman) The apostles were putting into practice Jesus’ teaching in the early church community at Jerusalem: Sharing their wealth and possessions, working together in the structures that Jesus put in place during his 40 days between his resurrection and his ascension. Time spent together in prayer and worship: communion, praise, and study of God’s word. The ministry to the sick and looking after the widows needs. Working and helping others in the wider community. Ambassadors for Christ reaching out proclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah and if the leaders and people repented, God would forgive their ignorance which resulted in the death of the Christ, that fulfilled God’s plan and purpose redeeming his creation from the devil and his principalities and powers. If they repented God would send the appointed Christ, Jesus. Acts 3: 17-20.

The Jewish people were in expectation of the return of their Messiah.

The Jews expected the Messiah to bring in God’s Kingdom, they did not expect him to go away before fulfilling his own message, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1: 15.

We tend to think of Jesus’ appearance as ‘his coming’ on the earth, born at Bethlehem. But for many Jewish  people the appearance of the Messiah was of his return. The understanding of this is in connection with the conversation Jesus had with his disciples on the question of “Who do men say the people say the Son of Man is?” Matthew 16: 13

Jesus very often used the title ‘The Son of Man’ and Jesus was curious as to what the people understood the title to mean.  “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus instructed to tell no one that he is the Christ (Greek) the Messiah. Matthew 16: 13-16

The general interpretation of Jesus’ question “Who is the Son of Man?” God would raise from the dead one of the prophets: Elijah, Jeremiah, or John the Baptist who was a prophet and priest, to be the Son of Man, the Messiah and return to Jerusalem.

The general belief that one of the prophets or even King David himself would return from the dead as their Messiah. Peter said at Pentecost that King David did not ascend into heaven, “For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,”  Jesus ascended, sits at God’s right hand.

 In Acts 3: 19,20 Peter proclaimed that if the nation repented, God would send Jesus the raised Jesus, the appointed Christ to restore King David’s throne and land.  (Times of refreshing)

 On the Day of Atonement the Messianic Prayer may be said, V Buksbazen quotes a Messianic Prayer, from the Last Day of the Feast of Tabernacles:

“A voice heralds, heralds and saith: Turn unto me and be ye saved, Today if ye hear my voice. Behold the man sprang forth – Branch is his name- David himself. Stand up! Be buried in the dust no longer! Ye who dwell in the dust. Wake up and sing. Glad will be the people when he rules. The name of the ungodly shall perish. But to his anointed, the Messiah David, he giveth grace Grant salvation to the eternal people to David and his seed forever. The voice heralds and saith.” V Buksbazen “Gospel in the Feasts of Israel.”

Paul speaking at the Synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia said that King David was not the Messiah, God did not raise him from the dead to return as the Messiah. “For David, after he had served the counsel of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw corruption; but he whom God raised up saw no corruption. Acts 13: 36,37. Jesus was raised bodily from the dead. His own body emerged from the tomb a resurrected body.

The Messiah reigns from Jerusalem on the earth for one thousand years.

John’s vision of the church the Bride of Christ reigning with Christ during his 1,000-year reign on the earth.

“Blessed and holy is he who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and they shall reign with him a thousand years.”  Revelation 20: 6.

Isaiah’s prophecy, “Hark, your watchmen lift up their voice, together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see, the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52: 8-10.

Isaiah prophesied the return of the Messiah to Jerusalem. “For he has redeemed Jerusalem.” This is Jesus’ second coming, Isaiah calls for rejoicing the Lord has shown his strength in his Messiah Jesus, by his victory on the cross over death by the power of his resurrection from the dead. The nations of the world, their eyes are looking towards Jerusalem to see the God of Salvation at work in the world, bringing in a new order through the Messiah .Jesus will rule with a firm hand, a rod of iron. All the nations of the world under his authority so, the care of our planet will be equally shared, and problems solved by the creator himself. Psalm 2: 9. Revelation 19: 11-15.

Historical evidence that Zion and Jerusalem refer to the same place.

Unger’s Bible Dictionary – Zion, originally the rock escarpment on the ridge between the Kidron and Tyropeoean Valleys of Jerusalem. Subsequently the term was widened to include the entire western ridge of the early Jerusalem. Centuries later the term was applied to the entire city (Is 1: 26,27). By the fourth century the name of Zion was adopted to the southern portion of the western hill. Archaeological location Zion constituted a formidable natural  fortress which the Jebusites inhabited before Jerusalem was taken by David (2 Sam 5: 7). The Archaeologists show that the city which David captured was like a huge human footprint about 1250 ft long by 400 ft wide. This became the City of David or Zion.”

The redemption of Jerusalem, through Jesus’ death at Jerusalem that took place outside the city walls. Jesus his sacrifice included ‘death.’ Under Jewish Law the Red Heifer was the burnt sacrifice for ‘death,’ the heifer was killed on the Mount of Olives. Its blood was sprinkled by the priest towards the ‘Holy Place’ in the temple and its ashes were used for purification rituals and kept in a clean place outside the city walls, where priests had access to them. Numbers 19: 2-10. Hebrews 9: 13. “The Temple” ministry and services as they were at the at the time of Jesus. A Edersheim pages 351-353. Publisher James Clarke London 1959. (Book on-line)

When Jesus returns to Jerusalem or Zion, Israel’s leaders and people will recognise Jesus as their Messiah and Redeemer.

Isaiah prophesied, “And he will come to Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, says the lord. And as for me, this is my covenant with them, say the Lord.” Isaiah 59: 20.  Jesus will forgive the Israeli people over their failure to respond to the Apostles message two thousand plus years ago.  

Paul quotes Isaiah 59: 21 “As it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob; and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Jesus’ second coming or return Israelis will recognise Jesus as their Messiah.

Jerusalem on the earth will be the seat of government during the Messiah’s reign on the earth. Both Christian Jews and Gentiles through faith in Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension; becoming one in Jesus’ body of believers will reign with Christ during the Millennium reign of Christ.

Zacchaeus through his repentant faith, “Jesus said, “Today, salvation has come to this house, since he is also a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost,” Luke 19: 8-10   

Gentile Cornelius had faith in God when he sent for Peter, to hear God’s word from him about Jesus. Peter took with him his friends, “And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God.” Acts 10: 45,46.

After Jesus calls out the Church from the earth into heaven, and after the Tribulation, Christ’s body of believers reign with Christ for one thousand years. John’s vision, the scene in heaven, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7: 9,10.

John continues, “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom judgment was committed. Also, I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.” (These are the people who come to faith during the Great Tribulation. Revelation 7: 13,14) “They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.. . . .  Blessed and holy is he who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and they shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 20: 2,4,6.

The church, the Bride of Christ, will reign with Christ during the 1,000-year reign.

Fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham that all the nations of the world would be blessed through him. “And by you (Abram) all the families of the earth will bless themselves.” Genesis 12: 1-3.

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THE LORD’S ARMY at Solferino

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The King of Syria sent spies to find out where Elisha was located; and it was reported to him that he was at Dothan 14 miles from Samaria. The King sent a great army by night and surrounded the city.            

In the morning the servant of Elisha saw the Syrians approaching. He was afraid saying to Elisha, “Alas! What shall we do?” Elisha replied, “Fear not, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha prayed, and said, “O Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see.” So, the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” Elisha prayed that the Syrian army where blinded so that they could not where they were going, The Lord answered his prayer and Elisha guided the Syrian army into Samaria. As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So, the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and lo, they were in the midst of Samaria,” 2 Kings 6: 11-19

“ When the king of Israel saw them, Syrian soldiers) he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I slay them? Shall I slay them?” He answered, “You shall not slay them. Would you slay those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” So, he prepared for them a great feast; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians came no more on raids into the land of Israel.” 2 Kings 6: 21-23. RSV Bible

In this true account Elisha’s prayers were answered: the Lord’s Army kept Elisha and his servant safe from being captured and none of the Syrian soldiers were killed, but where cared for and repatriated by the King of Israel.

Is it a God coincidence that the standard set up in the 19th Century were already established in 2 Kings 6: 21-23?

Henry Dunant on a business trip in Italy, arrived at Castiglione Della Pieve on the same day in June 1859 that the battle of Solferino was being fought nearby. The town was filled with war casualties, and he observed that they were very few doctors in attendance to the number of soldiers injured.

Henry Dunant in his book “A Memory of Solferino” he gives graphic details of the battle of Solferino (Northern Italy) the battle covered an area of twelve and a half miles. The armies of Austria, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Algeria, Lichtenstein, Hungry and Rumania all engaged in the battle at Solferino.

It was not a coincidence that Henry Dunant a devout Christian turned up on that particular day. God chose a man of action, who would not just stand by and watch, he would use the Holy Spirit’s gift of wisdom observing where he could help and being strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit was able to cope with the horrific scene that the Lord had brought him into. Henry filled with the Lord’s compassionate love, came alongside the suffering, giving them his shoulder to lean on and he moved them to the place to get the treatment and relief from their pain.

Henry Dunant witnessed hand-to-hand fighting in all its horror and frightfulness. I have chosen not to write down an extract from the book, as it contains graphic details of what I would describe as hell on the earth. “A Memory of Solferino” by Henry Dunant. Published by The International Red Cross. Printed in Switzerland. (The Geneva Committee used the Swiss flag as an emblem for the’ International Red Cross,’ reversing its colours from a red background and a white cross to a red cross on a white background).

Henry Dunant describes in detail the injuries treated by the army doctors who, under great stress used their skill to alleviate pain and the distress of the soldiers. They soon ran out of all medicines, bandages, and chloroform. There was little or no clean water to quench severe thirst and clean wounds. No food to strengthen the weak and because there were so many soldiers looking for treatment for their wounds, little attention was paid to them. Henry writes that he heard the cries of young soldiers calling out for their  mother. Henry tried to comfort men by saying a word to them as he passed by, their hands reaching out to him in their need. Everywhere he looked the dead lay where they had fallen, and nobody cared.

Within those few days of the battle, Henry Dunant organised the Lord’s Salvation Army of men and women from the surrounding towns, to set up their churches as hospitals: to cater for the wounded soldiers and for provision of water and food. “The boys of the neighbourhood ran back and forth between the churches with buckets, canteens and watering pots.” (Page 63) People from all backgrounds, nationalities came to help. However, he noticed that volunteers began to feel unable to cope with what they saw and what the work involved: seeing the terrible injuries and so many dying before them and feeling helpless unable to relieve their painful horrific injuries.

In his book Henry Dunant appealed to every man and woman from all classes and professions and those with none, to get involved to help the work forward. His faith reaching out to love our neighbour as ourselves. He said, “For the poor widow, alone in the world and anxious to devote her last strength to the welfare of her neighbour.” (Pages 125-127)  

Towards the end of his book, Henry Dunant proposed: a) That societies of trained volunteers be organised in all countries for the purpose of helping to care for wounded combatants in time of war. b) For an international treaty among the nations to assure more humane care of the wounded. Treating all men whatever their nationality or rank as equals.

Henry Dunant in his love for God and his neighbour, showed his love for one another in bringing God’s light and love into the dark and loveless situation. God enabled him to serve and live out his faith by choosing to help the war casualties during and after the battle of Solferino.

Henry Dunant received the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 nine years before his death in 1910.

A Tribute to Henry Nunant and the Christian Volunteers

I pay tribute to the men, women and children who responded to God’s call on their lives, to meet the need of many of the casualties from the Battle of Solferino. Under the guidance of Henry Nunant their churches became places of hope for thousands of wounded soldiers. Though many of the volunteers had not the trained skills of a nurse or a doctor, they gave comfort by their actions and concern for each person without distinction. Also, the Lord’s army of people supporting and praying: for those who generously provided food and materials and those giving their mite to help in some way. DN

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Jesus Redeemed Creation

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God in His love for creation sent Jesus to redeem creation from the Fall of humanity.

John recorded in Chapter 17 Jesus’ prayer.  In verse five were he speaks of being with God before he came to be born as one of us. “And now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made.” Jesus had completed his Father’s plans and purposes: he prays thanking God his Father for the word that revealed his identity to his disciples, and for them to be one as brothers (Jesus fulfilled the law) in Christ and to be kept safe from the evil one.

It was a pivotal moment in the history of the creation of the earth when the fall of humanity took place. 

Moses, the writer of Genesis inspired by God gives an account of the first humans and their separation from God, their creator. He writes that Adam and Eve used their free will to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Adam and Eve sin of disobedience, making themselves a god to themselves by responding to Satan’s temptation ‘To be like God’ to use their free will and eat from the forbidden tree. In being disobedient by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, their eyes and hearts were open to discern the presence of evil. As a result, Satan, was legally able to take their dominion of all living breathing creatures over to him. Satan’s power over humanity led to Adam and Eve’s death, eternal death.

After the fall of humanity, Satan’s influence over humankind caused human beings to become corrupt: their nature became self-centred and unforgiving, often envious, fearful, and retaliatory. Cain, we read his offering did not please God, whereas God blessed his brother Abel’s offering. Cain was angry, envious of his brother. “So, Cain became angry, and his countenance fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4: 5-7. On another occasion Cain’s hatred of his brother led to him killing his brother Abel. Cain had been warned that Satan was behind his anger, and he needed to stand against it. But sadly, he was influenced by his fallen nature so he could not help himself, he slew his brother Abel. Genesis 8: 10.  Every person to stand in their own strength to withstand the temptations that came to them. Most could not withstand Satan’s spirit of evil and people’s inhumanity towards each other became prevalent on the earth.

During the time before the flood, the population must have grown significantly, “And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” Genesis 1: 28.

The people in those days lived a long time: Adam lived nine hundred and thirty years, Methuselah lived nine hundred and sixty-nine years. Genesis 5: 3. 5: 27. Also, their children would have migrated across the world.

The Lord used the power of his created word to remove the corruption from his creation.

Our sovereign God, had planned to destroy the earth with a flood. Noah believed God when he told him of his plan, so Noah and his family were told by God to build the ark for him and his family and for the creatures of the earth to escape the flood, “God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh; for the earth is filled with violence through them; behold I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms inside the ark and cover it inside with pitch . . . . For behold, I will bring a flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall die.” Genesis 6: 12-17.

God used the power of water to remove the corruption on the earth. But God knew that the spirit of Satan was still influencing humanities fallen inherited nature. Noah and his family and all the creatures that where on the ark were saved by God to make a fresh start. Their story has been told by succeeding generations. The evidence remains today of the flood having taken place. “The waters prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed so mightily upon the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered;” Genesis 7: 18,19.

“The Genesis Flood” The Biblical Record and its Scientific Implications” John C Whitcomb and Henry M Morris. “We have seen that most of the earth’s crust, up to and including some of the Proterozoic strata, was probably formed during the period of creation, Also, there must have been a primeval mantle of soil supporting the luxuriant plant life of the antediluvian earth. During the relatively brief period between the Fall and the Deluge, however, probably few deposits were formed, and those that were formed were swept away by the flood, together with the original soils and other unconsolidated materials. And it is highly probable that many of even the primeval crystal rocks were broken up and swept away, mixed and eventually redeposited by the tremendous forces of the flood waters, as well as by the volcanic and other phenomena accompanying them. For one thing seems absolutely certain, if the Biblical record of the flood is true, as we strongly affirm it to be the ‘Noachian Deluge’ was a cataclysm of absolutely enormous scope of potency and must have accomplished an immense of geologic work during the year in which it prevailed over the earth. There seems no reasonable alternative to either rejecting the Bible as of no historical value whatever or else acknowledging the fact that many of the earth’s rock stratus must have been produced by the flood! We have already shown that the Bible quite clearly and emphatically teaches the fact of a global flood, and it should be immediately obvious that if such a global flood ever occurred, it must have been the greatest geomorphic agent acting on the earth since creation itself! Anyone who can conceive of a worldwide flood being “tranquil” and geologically impotent should as easily be able to equate east with west and black and white.”  “Overflowed with water.” Page ‘258’  Publishers Baker House Grand Rapids Michigan USA 1991.

Noah’s descendant ‘Egypt’ the son of Cush, the son of Ham, the son of Noah, ( Genesis 10: 6) who’s name remains today on the land thousands of years later and in 1 Chronicles 1: 11, the land mass of the earth was divided in the days of Peleg. “To Eber  were born two sons: the name of the one Peleg (for in his days the earth was divided), and the name of the other Joktan.” 1 Chronicles 1: 19. The age of the earth is estimated between five – six billion years old. “The Genesis Flood” John C Whitcomb and Henry M Morris. .Page 378.

After the flood, the Lord decided that he would never curse the ground again, “The Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day, and night, shall not cease.”  Genesis 8: 21,22.

God’s plan and purpose in sending Jesus to be born as one of us was to redeem humanity from the curse that he put on man and the ground, “And to Adam he said, “’Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life;  thorns and thistles it shall bring forth to you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.  In the sweat of your face, you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3: 17-19.

“The Genesis Flood The Biblical Record and its Scientific Implications” John C Whitcomb and Henry M Morris.

Paul writing to the Church at Rome,  “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8: 20-22. King James Bible) “It was at the time of the Edenic curse of Gen. 3: 17-19 that “the creation was subjected to “vanity” by God. This “vanity” (of which the Book of Ecclesiastes speaks so eloquently) is further described as “the bondage of corruption,” which is the explanation of the fact that this passage teaches very clearly that some tremendous transformations took place in the realm of nature at the time of the Edenic curse: and therefore any scientific theory which purports to explain the history of life on this planet without taking into full account the effects of the fall upon the realm of nature must be rejected. The Edenic curse had far-reaching effects upon nature, including the animal kingdom. In Genesis 1: 28, for example, we are told that God gave Adam “dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every  living thing that moveth upon the earth.” This is the dominion that we read in Psalm 8:  6-8.  “Thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou has put all things under his feet: all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatsoever passes through the paths of the seas “ Daily experience teaches us that dominion of this kind is no longer being exercised by the human race over the animal kingdom. Something drastic has taken place in man’s relationship to the animal kingdom since the days of the Garden of Eden. The subservience and instant obedience of all classes of animals to the will of man has been transformed into fear and dread of man that often brings with it violence and destruction.”  “The Genesis Flood The Biblical Record and its Scientific Implications” John C Whitcomb and Henry M Morris “Overflowed with water” Page 459.460.”  Publishers Baker House Grand Rapids Michigan USA 1991.

God planned to send his Son Jesus to redeem all creation, from God’s curse on the ground. Jesus the seed that fell into the earth and died. “Unless, a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies it remains alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit.”  John 12:  24. A seed contains the complete makeup of a plant: leaves, height, colour of flowers and produce more seeds of its own kind.  The seed of Jesus contained the fullness of his indestructible life and in his seed: a new heaven and a new earth.

Jesus redeemed the vegetation – when Jesus on the cross bore the crown of thorns.  The Roman soldiers at the Praetorium mocked Jesus and put  on him a scarlet robe, a crown of thorns and a reed in his hand, they ridiculed him saying, “Hail!  King of the Jews.” They removed the robe and reed  leaving the crown upon his head. This was significant as Jesus bore on the cross God’s curse that he put upon vegetation. Matthew 27: 27-31.

The wooden cross, or Jesus hanging on a tree, is also symbolic of God’s act of redeeming humanity from his curse upon the vegetation.  “And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is accursed by God; you shall not defile your land which the Lord your God gives you for an inheritance. “Cursed is the man that hangs on a tree.” Deuteronomy 21: 22,23.

Jesus was taken down from the cross on the same day, redeeming the land.                                                                                                                                   

God, had given Adam and Eve dominion over every living breathing creature, “God blessed them, and God said to them, (Adam and Eve created in the image of God Gen 1v 27 and joined as one Gen 2v 24) “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” Genesis 1: 28. After the fall of Adam and Eve, Satan took from them the dominion that God had given to them. God had used animal skins to cover Adam and Eve’s bodies. The animals became a blood sacrifice to atone, make a covering for their sin.

Jesus redeems humanity and every living breathing creature from Satan’s dominion -Moses was chosen by God to lead the Hebrew people to the land that God promised to Abraham, the land of Canaan. On the Exodus journey, Moses was given the blueprint of the heavenly temple on Mount Sinia. “The Lord said,  . . And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in your midst. According to all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and all of its furniture, so you shall make it.” Exodus 25: 8.

The tent Tabernacle was carried from place to place and set up to worship the God of Israel. Within its framework was an altar where the blood of animals was sprinkled on the altar for forgiveness of sins. The person came to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where the priest stood, the person laying their hand upon the head of the animal or bird identifying their sin with the creature. Leviticus 1: 3-5. The person then killed the animal, and its blood was caught in a bowl by the priest, and he then took the bowl and sprinkled the blood on the altar. The blood of animals and birds were substituted taking the punishment for sin, Jesus in taking our sin and hereditary sin of Adam and Eve’s upon himself, he becomes our substitute having taken the punishment in dying in our place by his life’s blood shed on the cross for the forgiven of sin and its causes. Jesus redeemed the animals and birds from being used as a sacrifice for humanities sin.

Jesus has redeemed humanity – The Lord Jesus’ victory over sin for all those who believe in him, and in his resurrection from the dead, through repentance and faith in Jesus, believers are raised up in the likeness of Jesus’ resurrection by the power of his indestructible life (Hebrews 7: 15,16) and enter eternal life. Jesus through his victory over Satan transforms our fallen nature so, we feel how God feels about sin, it is abhorrent to us. Thank you, Lord God for what You have done for us by redeeming humankind from the curses and the inherited sin of Adam and Eve, making it possible to be reconciled to God our Father and creator.

Jesus has redeemed the creatures in the sea – Jesus gave the scribes and Pharisees the sign of Jonah, “But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12: 39,40. Jesus was speaking of his death, burial in a tomb for three days and nights and just as Jonah had died inside the whale’s stomach and on the third day was vomited out alive, so Jesus would rise from the dead on the third day. Jonah 2: 6,7,10. The fact that Jesus gave this sign he included the creatures of the sea. On another occasion Jesus was asked to pay the half shekel tax, he told Peter to go fishing and the fish he caught had the shekel in its mouth. Jesus showed his dominion over the fish in the sea. ”Jesus said, “However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” Matthew 17: 24-27.

Jesus redeems the birds – The sign of the Cockrill crowing three times is not a co-incidence, the Cockrill represents the birds of creation being redeemed by Jesus as they were involved in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus predicted Peter’s denial of knowing him, “Jesus said to Peter, “Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Matthew 26: 34. The Cockrill was included in the downfall of Peter’s denial of knowing Jesus, “ Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a maid came up to him, and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the porch, another maid saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again, he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man. . . . . “I do not know the man. And immediately the cock crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times. And he went out and wept bitterly.“. Matthew 26: 69-72,75.  Peter’s response must have hurt Jesus, but God had forewarned Jesus of Peter’s fallen nature taking control. But Peter was broken-hearted, we are told he wept bitterly, The angel at the tomb particularly asked the women to tell Peter that Jesus was risen. Mark 16: 7.

Jesus redeemed all living, breathing creatures on our planet from God’s curse upon the ground.

Every living breathing creature, and creation itself, is waiting  for the redemption of creation. (excluding humanity). This will happen on the day of the Lord’s coming. It will take place after Jesus’ Millennium reign and after Satan has been set free for a short period of time. John’s vision, “And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be loosed from his prison  and will come out to deceive the nations which are at the four corners of the earth, that is, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.  And they marched up over the broad earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city; but fire came down from heaven] and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20: 7-10

Paul in his letter to the Romans writes, “Because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay. . . . .We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8: 21-23. Paul knows that creation is redeemed, but creation is having to wait for Jesus’ return.  Paul likens it to the church waiting for the restoration of our bodies at the calling out his church.

Peter in his second letter writes, “ Waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be kindled and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire!  But according to his promise we wait for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”  2 Peter 3: 12,13

The perfection of nature will be in the new heaven and the new earth, every living breathing creature will live at peace with one another. Isaiah writes, “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatlings together; and a little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11: 6.

John writing towards the end of the first century, tells us that Jesus was willing to do his Father’s will, even though he would suffer and be killed at the hands of men. He was innocent of all the charges against him, Jesus bore on the cross the curses that God put on humanity (Both men and women and the 3rd and 4th generational sin, and sins of humanities fallen nature.)  In his bodily resurrection Jesus won the total victory over the whole of humanities fallen nature, curses, and sins of the flesh. Jesus has dominion over all creation.

When I was filled with the Holy Spirit, ‘I knew God was my Father and I felt one with creation.’ The revealing of the word, that ‘Jesus has redeemed creation,’ I now understand why I felt one with creation. Jesus completed in himself total victory over Satan’s dominion over the earth, (Matthew 4: 8,9) and redeeming all living breathing life that is on the earth. Satan and his principalities and powers have been disarmed, (Colossians 2: 14,15) he has no longer a kingdom of power. Christians who use the God given gifts of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, have the power to win Christ’s victory over Satan. Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades.  

         

John makes it clear that Jesus’ victory over Satan still stands today.

John writes in Revelation, “When I saw him, (Jesus)  I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand upon me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”  Revelation 1: 17,18.

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Escaping the Wrath of God

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 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving the temple, Jesus prophesied that the temple would be taken down stone by stone. “Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down.” Matthew 24:1,2.

Jesus was sat overlooking the temple on the Mount of Olives, his disciples: Peter, James, John and Andrew joined him. In the conversation that followed, Jesus referred to Daniel’s end times prophecy, when he said, “When you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place; (let the reader understand)” Matthew 24: 15.

Daniel prophesied, “He shall cause sacrifice and offering to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” Daniel 9: 27.

Jesus’ disciples would know immediately what Jesus was referring to by ‘the desolating sacrilege.’ Alexander the Great invaded Israel in 330 B.C. The Greek King Antiochus Epiphanes launched a massive campaign of repression against the Jews.

It was Judas Maccabeus who led a full-scale revolt in 165 B.C that drove Antiochus and the Greek army out, and the Jews regained control of their temple and land.

Eyre & Spottiswoode Study Bible ‘Sacrifices and offerings cease.’

Antiochus Epiphanes, whose troops desecrated the temple in 168 B.C, and suspended the daily burnt offerings and other services and erected an idol-altar (apparently a statue of Zeus Olympus) and entered the Holy of Holies; Daniel 9: 27 and 12: 11 and Mk 13: 14 it seems to refer to a desecration which shall take place in the end, during  the period of the great tribulation in Mt 24: 15 (cf Lk 21: 19-24) It probably refers also to the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.

Jesus on the cross took upon himself the desolating sacrilege.

Jesus prophesied the desolating sacrilege, “But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand).” Matthew 24: 15  Matthew’s words added ‘Let the reader understand,’ God’s plan of redemption was through the death and resurrection of the Messiah, the understanding was hidden from the Jewish leaders and people. The Jewish leaders collaboration with the pagan Roman Pontius Pilate, placed themselves under Satan’s spiritual authority.

Chief Priest Caiaphas, asked Jesus at his trial before the council, “Are you the Christ the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus replied, “I am; and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Mark 14: 61,62.   The council condemned Jesus to death for blasphemy. ‘The Messiah’s Secret’ – The Jewish council did not believe that the Messiah would come and die, and that’s why when Jesus was dying on the cross they shouted, “So also the chief priests mocked him to one another with the scribes, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.” Mark 15: 31,32.

Pilate, the Roman Governor was undecided, when he questioned Jesus. Jesus did not deny the charges against him. Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You have said so.” Mark 15: 2.

Pilate turned to the crowd at the Praetorium, and asked them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” They shouted, “Crucify him.” Mark 15: 9,13. Having the crowd’s approval Pilate sentenced Jesus to be crucified.

God’s plan was fulfilled, Jesus was innocent of their charges against him. But in taking the punishment which carried the death sentence, he became the redeemer of the nation of Israel and all nations on the earth. In his one sacrifice of himself on the cross, Jesus took upon himself, the desolating sacrifice, the idolatry of kings, dictators, governments, and their warfare, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom. The devil’s pursuit of world dominance over people’s and nations, was brought to nothing, through Jesus becoming the desolating sacrifice, laying down his life’s blood for all sin, and its causes upon the cross.

Jesus he embodiment of God’s living power, His spoken word was fulfilled, “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26: 26-28. In his resurrection God forgave Israel’s sin as a nation, the desolating sacrilege sacrifice and for the sin of their unbelief in Jesus who was the nations Messiah, Redeemer, and Saviour.

     The Church escapes God’s wrath.

Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” John 11: 25,26. These words from Jesus and other words from Jesus that Paul heard from the apostles brought a fresh understanding to Isaiah’s prophecy of ‘escaping the wrath of God,’ Jesus said, “There will be two men in a field; one is taken and the other left. Two women grinding at the mill; one is taken and the other left.”  Matthew 24: 40,41. Paul, interpreted Jesus’ words to include both Jews and Gentile believers, who would be called out from the earth and those resurrected from the dead in Christ. 

Isaiah’s prophecy, ““Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the wrath is past. For behold, the Lord is coming forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed upon her and will no more cover her slain.” Isaiah 26: 20,21. Isaiah 27: 2,3.

Paul taught in the churches a Christians’ resurrection in Christ.

Paul writing to the church at Corinth, he explains that in our resurrection we shall have our own body that will be transformed to an eternal spiritual body at the calling out of the church. “It is sown a physical body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.” 1 Corinthians 15: 42-44.                                                                                                                                                               Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he explains that the dead who are believers will be united with their own body, God will gather the dust of each person’s body, God will transform the dust to an eternal spiritual body, “And the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds.” 1 Thessalonians 4: 17

Paul’s first letter Thessalonians, Christians were dying but were not bodily resurrected like Jesus from the dead. Paul gave them assurance saying that it was according to the Lord Jesus’ words,  “According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-18.

The church called out from the earth escaping God’s wrath.

The Thessalonians received the word concerning a believer’s bodily resurrection in Christ. They also, believed what Paul taught that they would be delivered from the great tribulation. Paul writes, “For they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” 1 Thessalonians 1: 9,10.

Jesus did not call out the church.

In 70 A.D the Christians in response to Jesus’ words, “When you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place; ( let the reader understand) then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” Matthew 24: 15,16. The Christians, when they realised the Roman army surrounded Jerusalem, they hoped to flee to the mountains.                                                                               

“The Footsteps of the Messiah by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.  Page 439. Ariel Ministries Press USA. 2000. The Roman siege of Jerusalem was lifted, because of the need for fresh supplies of food, and during the short period the Hebrew Christians fled across the Jordon to Pella. “The Christians crossed the Jordon River and set up a new Hebrew Christian Community in the town of Pella in the Transjordan. There they waited for the prophecy of Jesus to be fulfilled.”

God fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that he would protect his people, “Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the wrath is past.”  Isaiah 26: 20. Isaiah 27: 2-4.

But it was Jesus’ prophecy of the destruction of the temple that was fulfilled, “Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down.” Matthew 24:2.

Jesus’ prophecy – Roman Titus led the Roman Army and destroyed the temple by setting it on fire. The Roman soldiers perhaps would search the ruins, demolishing the walls looking for melted gold. The Roman occupation of Israel ended in 135 A.D.

The NIV Theological Dictionary of New Testament Words Editor Verlyn Verbrugge. Greek word ‘genea’ – generation. “The events referred to Matt 24: 34; Mk 13: 30; “Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all these things take place.” Lk 21: 32 generally have been taken to refer to cosmic events associated with the second coming of Christ. But if these events were expected within the first generation of Christians, were Jesus or the evangelists mistaken? Not at all. The failure of events to materialise can be attributed to a gracious postponement by God of the catastrophe as well as to a telescoping event.”

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Prayer Changes Situations

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Father God,

I believe that heart felt prayer changes situations,

I lift my prayer, along with millions of other Christians

to your throne of grace, as I bring both sides in the

war in Gaza to the cross, where Jesus laid down his

Life to make peace between humanity and God, and

between people of every nation.

Where there is hatred and bitterness that scars the soul.

I pray for healing, through a greater longing for peace.

   For all reproach that stems from being

     hurt over years of warfare to be removed.

   For the heavy stone to be rolled away from

    the tomb of death, for the resurrection

     of both the Palestinian people and the

       people of Israel, to a new  place of hope.

             I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen

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The Apostles to watch out for the Desolating Sacrilege

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The apostles to watch for the desolating sacrilege spoken by the prophet Daniel.

Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives looking across to the temple in Jerusalem, Peter, James, John, and Andrew came alongside of him and asked him “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign when these things are all to be accomplished?”  Mark 13: 4. In verse 14 Jesus referred to Daniel’s end times prophecy, when he said, “When you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place.”  

Jesus’ disciples would know immediately what Jesus was referring to by ‘the desolating sacrilege.’ Approximately 168 years before the birth of Jesus, the Greek King Antiochus Epiphanes launched a massive campaign of repression against the Jews. The temple at Jerusalem was made the site of a pagan Jewish cult.

Flavius Josephus ‘The Jewish War’ Book 1. 34, 35.

In the aftermath of Antiochus 1V i Antiochus issuing his decrees forbidding Jewish religious practice, a campaign of land confiscations paired with shrine and altar-buildings took place in the Judean countryside. A rural priest Modein, Mattathias of the Hasmonean family, sparked the revolt against the Seleucid Empire by refusing to worship the Greek gods at Modein’s new altar. Mattathias killed a Jew who had stepped forward to take Mattathias’ place in sacrificing to an idol as well as the Greek officer who was sent to enforce the sacrifice. He destroyed the altar. Afterwards, he and his sons fled to the nearby mountains, which sat directly next to Modein.” It was Mattathias’ son Judas Maccabeus who led a full-scale revolt. In 165 BC Maccabeus drove Antiochus and the Greek army out, and the Jews regained control of their temple and land.

Jesus was saying to his disciples to look out for ‘desolating sacrilege’ that will indicate his return and the driving out of the Romans from their land.

Jesus, on the cross took upon himself the desolating sacrilege. 

Jesus prophesied the desolating sacrilege, “But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand).” The Jewish leaders in collaboration with the Roman Pontius Pilate, were in the spirit of the antichrist, when the Jewish council condemned Jesus to death for blasphemy. Chief Priest Caiaphas, asked Jesus at his trial before the council, “Are you the Christ the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus replied, “I am; and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Mark 14: 61,62.  

Pilate, the Roman Governor was undecided, when he questioned Jesus, he did not deny the charges against him. Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You have said so.” Mark 15: 2

Pilate turned to the crowd The crowd at the Praetorium, were asked by Pilate, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” They shouted, “Crucify him.” Mark 15: 9,13.  Having the crowd’s approval, Pilate sentenced Jesus to be crucified.

Jesus was innocent of their charges against him. But in taking the punishment which carried the death sentence, he became the redeemer of the nation of Israel and all nations on the earth, in his one sacrifice of himself on the cross. Jesus took upon himself, the desolating sacrifice, the sins of the idolatry of kings, dictators, governments, and their warfare, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom and the devil’s pursuit of world dominance over people’s and nations, was brought to nothing through Jesus becoming the desolating sacrifice, laying down his life for all sin and its causes upon the cross. Jesus’ spoken word was fulfilled, at the Passover meal with his disciples, Jesus said, “ Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26: 26-28. In his resurrection God forgave Israel’s sin against their unbelief in Jesus, he was the nations Messiah, Redeemer, and Saviour.

The Jewish leaders and people in 165 rejoiced over Mattathias’ son Judas Maccabeus in their victory over the Seleucid Empire. But the leaders and people failed to recognise what God was doing through Jesus’ victory over Satan’s principalities and powers, their nations leader failed to recognise that Jesus was their nation’s redeemer and Saviour.

Through Jesus’ disciples the message they proclaimed of the Jesus’ victory on the cross for nations and enabling the ordinary person to receive Jesus as their redeemer from sin and through his resurrection receiving God’s presence of eternal life. Jesus wants to be our friend and as his friend he has saved us a seat in heaven, in his Father’s house. I was 25 when I responded to Jesus becoming my redeemer and Saviour. I have never regretted for one moment that decision I made to follow Christ.