ARCC Sermons

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September 17th

The bible reading today is in Daniel chapters 10-12.

The 10th chapter of Daniel includes a close-up picture of Daniel before the Lord in prayer and fasting. An appearance of Christ to Daniel, and the effects it had upon him...including spiritual and physical strength and encouragement along with an anticipation of what the future held for Israel.

“On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river ( that is, the Tigris)

Daniel was with friends down by the riverside. The banks of the fast-flowing Tigris. I can imagine food and drink and conversation about the Savior God who saved their ancestors from Egyptian bondage. It was the time of year when the Judeans used to observe the Passover feast.

Then...“I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭10:4-5‬ ‭

Jesus shows himself to Daniel in human form, dressed in linen, the garment of a priest. A precursor to his ministry of offering up “the” sacrifice for sins...Himself. This was not Gabriel or Michael the ArchAngels. This was the Messiah promised to Israel and to all who would believe.

“His face” the appearance of lightning. In one sense, terrorizing, yet in another sense glorious and generous with light in darkness. Illuminating the grace and mercy and comfort that comes from Him to his people of faith. Not perfect faith...childlike dependence.

“Jesus’ voice” in words of his promises of pardon, peace, righteousness, life, and salvation, gracious and precious promises to his people. And though Daniel was the only one to see and hear the vision, his friends experienced a great quaking beneath their feet, and the fled in terror.

Sounds like Acts and the first days of the church on mission.

“Then he (Gabriel) said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia (Satan) withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭10:12-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

And those days yet to come?....“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Daniel wanted more specifics on the future for his country. But Daniel, called beloved, was told to shut up and seal the book until a time when it shall be better understood.

Daniel was told that Israel was in for a time of great trouble in the end times. Jesus would call it Jacob’s trouble or the great tribulation.

The good news, from Daniel to Israel?...“And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it this great trouble for Israel would be for a time, times, and half a time/3 1/2 years, and that when the breaking of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12:7, 13‬ ‭

Resurrection and 1000 yr reign with Christ on the earth for all who believe, especially including Jews who finally came to believe Jesus.

Oh, and we will be their friends. It's going to be awesome!

Have a great day

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September 16th

Today’s bible reading is in Daniel chapters 7-9.

The first 6 chapters of Daniel describe the life and times of Daniel. Chapters 7-12 describe visions Daniel had in order of the events.

This first vision was the most comprehensive. But I have wondered if Daniel could have given me a little more. But either way, the Holy Spirit only wanted him to write the main facts.

“Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭7:2-3‬ ‭

“The four winds”? “Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away!”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭35:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The psalmist used the winds to represent the Lord’s sovereign power working with mankind. I believe that Daniel’s “four winds of heaven” stirring up the Mediterranean Sea was a picture of God powerfully raising up 4 Nations to fulfill the purposes of God connected to the first coming of the Messiah Jesus.

So who were those nations? I believe the “lion with eagle’s wings” denoted the Babylonian Empire. Jeremiah used the lion and the eagle as pictures of Nebechadnezer...Jeremiah 49.

I believe the “bear” denoted the Medo/Persian Empire. The empire who crushed and tore their prey just like a bear.

I believe the leopard denoted the Alexander the Great Greek Empire that followed the Babylonian and Medo-Persian Empires. With cat/leopard like speed and precision conquering the civilized world in thirteen years, primarily on foot.

And finally, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible. Exceedingly strong, with iron teeth and 10 horns. Horns in the ancient world meant strength and power. This beast had 10 horns. Ten times stronger than the empires before it. In historical fulfillment, the “Roman Empire” was that fourth beast to rule the world.

“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; Who was the Ancient of Days?

God. The great eternal God, the I Am, Emanuel, Jesus!

His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; reminds me of someone...“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17:1-2‬ ‭

Yes, the Ancient of Days was Jesus...at least in my thinking.

"His throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭7:9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Let’s look at Ezekiel’s vision again...“And above the fiery chariot with wheels within the wheels as seen by Ezekiel, there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance...and there was brightness around him.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭1:26-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

One more time, The Ancient of Days upon a throne, was Jesus Christ in Daniel’s dream.

“I Daniel considered the horns of the fourth beast, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots”...(illustrating dominance) And behold, in this horn were “eyes like the eyes of a man” (illustrating intelligence), and a “mouth speaking great things.”(illustrating boastfullness)

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭7:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Who or what does the little horn represent? The final human dictator...the Anti Christ.

“I looked then because of the sound of the “boastful words” that the horn was speaking...that the Anti Christ was speaking...And as I looked, the beast was killed. And who triumphed over the beast, over the Anti Christ?... Jesus...and the body of the Anti Christ was destroyed and given over to be burned with fire.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭7:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“And to “Jesus” was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. And they will.

“And I heard a man’s voice...and it called...“Gabriel, make this Daniel to understand the vision.” So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.””

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭8:16-17‬ ‭

More to glean, more to learn of this dream of Daniel. But that’s the rest of the story, especially found in Revelations.

Have a great day.

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September 15th

The bible reading today is in Daniel 4,5,6.

At the end of yesterday’s reading in Daniel chapter 3, the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, took a huge step back from his public declaration that Daniel’s wise God was God of all. Let’s read his declaration

“The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭2:47‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Then days later...“King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. And the herald proclaimed aloud, “O peoples... when you hear the sound of the music, you are to...“fall down and worship” the “golden image” that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3:1, 4-5‬ ‭

You know, I believe that’s just like the rest of us in many ways. We get disappointed over not getting what we want and then we throw a pity party or a fit. Then, when we do finally get what we wanted, our countenance changes and we even say wonderful things about God blessing us.

From a distance, people hear our excited recognition of God and count us spiritual. But God knows our hearts, just like he knew Nebechadnezer’s...chalk one up for another spiritual pretender.

How do we know that the king of Babylon was pretending? Because just after his speech about Daniel’s God, we see where Nebechadnezer is so full of himself that he has a 100 ft tall statue of himself built and calls the people of his kingdom to bow down and worship it.

Well, some might have been conned into thinking the King really was God. But the three Hebrew friends of Daniel didn't buy it. They knew that Elohim Yahweh was the one and only true God. They would not bow and worship the king at the golden statue.

“And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. “But if not”, be it known to you, O king, that “we will not serve your gods” or “worship the golden image” that you have set up.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3:6, 12, 15-18‬ ‭

Then the king had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego thrown into a fiery furnace. But the fire never touched them. Why? Because there was a fourth man in the fire protecting them...Jesus.

And the king saw it all and was amazed, but still too proud to repent and believe the Lord. Later Nebechadnezer would have a breakdown and roamed the fields and ate the grass that the ox ate for 7 years. People said that the self-proclaimed god was crazy.

I believe the king came to the end of himself and finally trusted God for his salvation. By then the Babylonian kingdom was cut down and replaced with the Medo-Persian Empire.

Daniel’s friends faced the fiery furnace with courage. Daniel was about to face his own challenge of faith.

“All the high officials of the Persian kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors all agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭6:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Darius, king of Persia, bought into the counsel of his staff. What he didn't discern was their selfish murderous motive to get rid of the faithful Daniel.

Daniel heard the injunction that everyone in the Persian Empire was called to worship no one but Darius for 30 days or be eaten alive by a den of lions. Daniel courageously chose the lions rather than be unfaithful to God his Savior. Wow!

Daniel and his friends...inspiring faith.

But Jesus choosing the torturous death of the cross for us, for our salvation, more than inspiring...eternal life-saving! Awesome! Jesus, You have always been better

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September 14th

The bible reading today is in Daniel chapters 1-3.

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, laid siege to Jerusalem. We have already read about this in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles and in Jeremiah.

But in the book of Daniel, we are introduced to some new details of the exile to Babylon. Some eye-opening details of God working in and through some young men of Judah while in Babylonian captivity.

These stories inspire my faith in God our Savior. These stories motivate me to courageous obedience to God’s word. These stories enlighten me on God’s plans for making all things right and all things new. Now to the text.

“The king assigned the young captives a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time, they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭1:5-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Nebuchadnezzar had a plan to use the strongest and the brightest of Judah to aid him in expanding his kingdom around the world. Daniel and his three friends were chosen for such service.

A side note...After Nebechadnezer’s first dream, he respected God’s wisdom in Daniel. After the furnace deliverance, he respected God’s loyalty to His own. After Nebechadnezer’s mental breakdown, madness, and loss of his humanity, he respected God’s power. Only after those three experiences with God did Nebechadnezer become a true believer.

Who’s to say that the testimony of the young Judean friends, from the very beginning of their exile, was what God used to plant the gospel seed that grew into faith for Nebechadnezer’s salvation. So what was Daniel’s testimony that would have been rare at his youthful age and impress a king to look into it?

“” But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank”. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs,”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭1:8-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Most teenage boys, away from home, away from family restraints, would be thinking of “sowing their wild oats. But not this teenager. Long before Daniel was kidnapped by Babylonian soldiers and taken to Babylon, he committed himself to the very words of God. And from there, young Daniel’s mind and heart were filled with scriptural convictions...things he believed no matter what the consequence.

The text tells us that Daniel “resolved” not to defile himself, his body, mind, and soul...no matter what. So when his Babylonian handler offered him unclean food and drink for his meals, he declined, he explained, and he requested alternative sustenance and a test.

To turn down the king’s table, and declare that the king’s fare was unclean, was most disrespectful and would probably bring sudden death. But the courage of his convictions not only passed the test...meaning...his countenance was far better on his diet than the other exiles who ate the king’s fare, but it also impressed the court and opened the door for future ministry to the king.

You know there was another young man who faced torture and death for his belief. All he had to do was say “Ceasar is Lord”...instead of “Jesus is Lord”. But Stephen would not do that. He too resolved that he would believe Jesus no matter what. And shortly he was stoned to death.

Daniel lived to fight another day. And that’s the rest of the story.

Have a great day.

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September 13th

The bible reading today is in the three chapters of the small book of Joel. Joel prophesied to Judah during the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah, 835BC, 200 years before the northern kingdom of Israel was defeated by Assyria and taken captive to Nineveh, and 300+ years before Judah was defeated and taken into captivity by the Babylonians.

“Awake, you drunkards, and weep, and wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine, for it is cut off from your mouth. For a nation has come up against my land, powerful and beyond number; its teeth are lions’ teeth, and it has the fangs of a lioness. It has laid waste my vine and splintered my fig tree; it has stripped off their bark and thrown it down; their branches are made white.”

‭‭Joel‬ ‭1:5-7‬ ‭

Who was that conquering horde? That victorious nation over Judah with devouring teeth of lions? Who was that army that would lay waste the countryside fields of wheat and barley as well as the rich sweet vines of the orchards in Judah?

It would be a “plague of locusts”.

“Be ashamed, O tillers of the soil; wail, O vinedressers, for the wheat and the barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. The vine dries up; the fig tree languishes. Pomegranate, palm, and apple, all the trees of the field are dried up, and gladness dries up from the children of man.”

‭‭Joel‬ ‭1:11-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Harvest of the fields have perished. The vine has dried up. The palm, the apple, the pear, the orange, the fig...all the trees have dried up. The olive oil and the wine has all dried up. No present benefit for the weary vinedresser, no future gain in the market place. The total gladness of the children of men is gone. Sure, the children would be affected by the plague and the famine and the loss of employment

and the loss of income. The financial ruin would be devastating for years to come.

When Joel prophesied of this plague upon Judah, he didn't say that this “may be a bit uncomfortable” to you, he said, “this is going to hurt you and your families...a lot.”

“Lament like a virgin wearing sackcloth for the bridegroom of her youth. Joel said, “You “should be” wailing and broken like a wife who has just lost her husband in death. You should put on sackcloth and ashes in total lamentation at the door of the temple.

But not just because of your dire circumstances, but because of something much more serious.

“The grain offering and the drink offering are cut off from the house of the Lord. The priests mourn, who minister to the Lord.”

‭‭Joel‬ ‭1:8-9‬ ‭ESV‬

The Temple sacrifices of grain went on during the plague until there was no more grain. The Temple sacrifices of new wine went on during the plague until there was no fruit of the vine left.

Note...The wicked Queen Attaliah, who had nothing to do with God, before, during, or after the plague, gave permission for the Temple ceremonies to continue until there was nothing left to give to God.

What a lesson there is to be learned here. “The enemy of God and His chosen ones is not out to eliminate true religion, just corrupt it. True worship is from a “heart” wholly devoted to God and His purposes, not from a ceremony, no matter how impressive.

So no wonder the prophet followed up the declaration of the coming devastation from the plague of locusts with Repent...Turn back to Me...anything less than finding your only hope in Me just won't do.

“Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.”

‭‭Joel‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

He is the One you need...everyday!

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart...

‭‭Joel‬ ‭2:12-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

And with Joel and Judah, we say...” unto you, Oh Lord Jesus, belong our hearts night and day...and we are excited how You will work in our own lives...come what may.

Have a great day.

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September 12th

The bible reading today finishes up our reading through the book of Ezekiel...chapters 46-48.

“A River Runs through It”, a film by Robert Redford, about brothers, their father, and a Beautiful River that ran through their lives.

Today’s reading is about a literal, Miraculous River that will “run through Jerusalem” all the way to the Dead Sea bringing healing...even turning a lifeless sea into a living body of freshwater teeming with fish...all of this in the Millennial Kingdom...of Messiah/Jesus’ 1000 yr reign on earth before the new heaven and new earth.

“Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭47:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus and Ezekiel were making another turn around the Temple Mount. This time Ezekiel sees something that never existed in the Temple before...” a river flowing from the threshold of the Temple...south of the altar.

Jerusalem was the only great city in ancient times that wasn't located on a river. And water was a significant resource for the life and defense of a fortified city in the east. During the Millennium Kingdom Age, Jerusalem will have a river like no other nation ever has. Talk about A “River” Runs Through It...wow, just a foretaste of glory divine.

Only one thing better...“Blessed assurance “Jesus” is mine...oh what a foretaste of glory devine...heir of salvation...purchase of God, born of the Spirit, washed in his blood...this is my story...this is my song...praising my Savior...all the day long...Thank you, Phoebe Knapp...1869.

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46:4‬

“And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water, and a “fountain shall come forth from the house of the Lord” and water the Valley of Shittim.”

‭‭Joel‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem....”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭14:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits (1/3 of a mile), and then led me through the water, and it was “ankle-deep”. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, and it was “knee-deep”. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, and it was “waist-deep”. Again he measured a thousand, and “it was a river” that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was “deep enough to swim in”, a river that could not be passed through.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭47:3-5‬ ‭

This river that Ezekiel saw coming out of the Temple, started small, ankle-deep. Did you hear it? As shallow as it was at the start, Jesus led Ezekiel through it. In fact, at every stage, ankle, knee, waist, and over his head, Jesus led him through it.

Some things stand out to me in this part of the Temple vision. *Jesus followed the course of the river and took Ezekiel with him. The “course of the rivers” are in the Father’s hands. To follow the course of the river would speak to Jesus doing the Father’s will.

That’s an awesome picture. But it gets better. Jesus took Ezekiel with him to do the Father’s will also. What a picture for parents and grandparents, for siblings, for friends Staying the course of the river and bringing a loved one along.

Something else stands out to me...*Jesus led Ezekiel to the deep end of the river.

He couldn't touch the bottom with his feet. So Ezekiel would have to sink or swim. Or at least that’s what he probably thought. But the rest of the text tells us that he had another option. Jesus...He would take Ezekiel back to the deep river’s bank.

Wow, Jesus would be everywhere with His chosen ones...at the Great Flood...the Red Sea...the Jordan at flood stage...a wild sea and a drowning prophet...a stormy sea with high winds and Jesus saying, “Peace...Be still”.

One more thing...*The River and Ezekiel had an “all in” relationship. Whatever stage of the river’s rising, Ezekiel was in the river as deep as he could be. Ezekiel was all in. He never hesitated, never turned back. The River of God was for Him, and like Jesus, Ezekiel was going as far as the River would take him.

Father, we too want to go deeper with You than we ever have. And we want to go as far as Your going, Jesus. Good job, Ezekiel. Your courage and faithfulness to your God-given assignment has been inspiring.

Have a great day

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September 11th

The bible reading today is in Ezekiel 44,45.

“Then he brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, which faces east. And it was shut.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭44:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus, the “radiant man” in the Temple Mount Vision, was Ezekiel’s tour guide of the Millennial Kingdom Temple to come. Jesus took the prophet to the Eastern Gate for the third time. And again Jesus told Ezekiel to pay attention to what he sees.

That might sound odd to some, but maybe not for a couple of reasons. First, Ezekiel had the responsibility to teach the exiles “everything” in the divine vision. He needed to focus so that he wouldn't leave anything out.

Secondly...He was God’s man, but he was still a man. A man with flaws and human inabilities. Jesus would be aware of that and purposefully give him multiple opportunities to grasp well all the truth being shared with him.

God does the same thing with us friends. As disciples of Christ, we are to teach...pass on to family and friends...what God gives us from the Bible. So He says, “pay attention, don't leave out a thing from the life-giving gospel of Jesus".

And...Yes, we have the Holy Spirit residing within us, who guides us into all truth, yet each time we go over familiar parts of God’s word, The Spirit helps us to see some new revelation, some new application to our souls.

May the Lord take us to the eastern gates of His ways and will “three times” or as many times that it takes to understand and obey.

There was more than one gate into the inner courts of the Temple. But the vision given to Ezekiel showed the Eastern Gate closed. That would imply that all the other gates were open at all times to the worshippers.

So, wonder what the closed gate meant? I'm speculating a bit but here is where I stand. When Ezekiel saw the cloud of God’s glorious presence enter the Temple, he noticed that God entered through the Eastern Gate. God had taken possession of the House. And it was after God entered the Temple that the Eastern Gate was shut, forever. No ordinary man would ever pass that way again.

That may sound negative to some. I get it. But it could also mean that God would never leave the worshipping congregation of believers, made up of Jew and Gentile followers of Messiah Jesus.

Every time believers would pass that shut gate during that thousand-year reign of Christ upon the earth, before the final judgment upon Satan, believers would remember with faith and peace that God doesn't just dwell there, He dwells with us...Emanuel...Jesus...God with us! Praise His Name.

One more thought on the “shut Eastern Gate” to the Temple Mount...Remember when a burning bush that would not be consumed got Moses’ attention in the desert of Midian?

And do you remember when God spoke to Moses from that glorious bush? He told Moses to remove his sandals. For the ground was holy ground...God’s gound only.

When the Eastern Gate was shut for all time, could that be God’s way of saying “this gate is holy ground...God’s ground only?

Maybe so. I would bow and worship, wouldn't you?

Have a great day

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September 10th

The bible reading today continues the prophet’s visionary trip to Jerusalem and the guided tour by Jesus of the new Temple that would house the very presence of God again...Ezekiel 42,43.

Jesus shows Ezekiel the Holy Chambers within the Temple that were for the priest’s fellowship meals with each other and with God being the host of honor.

The priests had a right to eat of certain offerings.

“Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:13-14‬ ‭

Yes, the priests had a right to eat of the offerings. That was a part of God’s plan to take care of His priests.

Some of the chambers were used as storage for priestly garments. The Priests had “holy garments”...the ones that they wore when they were ministering to God’s people on the Temple Mount. And they had “ordinary garments” that they wore when they were off duty.

Reminds me of a passage in Isaiah. Jesus’ words about His ministry...“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to bring “good news” to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison doors to those who are held captive; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness for mourning, and the “garment of praise” for a heavy heart; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61:1-3‬ ‭

Spiritual “garments” of praise and worship given to us by our Savior...just when we need them most...for our heavy hearts.

By the way, let’s be sure to offer Jesus, who is that garment of praise, to family and friends especially when they have heavy hearts.

Back to the priest’s chambers...Jesus, our High Priest, came not with two sets of garments. One for his holy work and one set for his ordinary work. He brought a new perspective on holy work, Jesus didn't have two kinds of work. All of his work was work done unto the Father, for the Father's honor and glory.

No wonder Paul said...“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God!"

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In Christ, all of our work, all of our daily living is “holy”, dedicated unto the Lord. Thanks for clearing that up Paul.

One more thought from today’s reading...“As the “glory of the Lord” entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭43:4-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Without the glory of God, the Temple was no more than a building. But with the glory of the Lord, it was a habitation for God and the radiance of His powerful presence...”the shekinah”.

The cloud that stood by Israel in the wilderness. The cloud from which God spoke to Moses mt. Sinai. The cloud that stood at the door of the Tabernacle. The cloud of glory that overshadowed Mary when she conceived Jesus. The cloud that was present at the transfiguration of Jesus. The cloud that received Jesus into heaven. The Shekinah cloud of glory that will accompany Jesus when He returns to earth. The cloud of the Spirit’s continuous presence in the lives of all who believe Jesus.

Have a great day

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September 9th

The bible reading today is in Ezekiel chapters 40,41. This final and great vision of the prophet is recorded in Chapters 40-48... to the end of this Old Testament scroll. It’s dated as the 25th year of the 70 years of Judah’s exile in Babylon. 14 years after the final assault on the city and Temple of Jerusalem.

This final vision/prophesy from God to Ezekiel took place at least 10 years after the preceding oracles. That must mean that God was using the prophet to preach old sermons (during that decade ) that still had application to the children who were growing to a maturity to understand God’s words and act upon them.

From the dating in the text, it seems possible that this vision was introduced to the congregation on the day of Passover. Whether they were actually observing the feast or not, the people would have at least been thinking about their deliverance from Egypt at the mighty hand of God. And that would have been of great encouragement to the Judeans, giving them a boost in faith that God would fulfill His purposes for their exile and complete His will for the nation of Israel in the messianic kingdom.

In our reading today Ezekiel makes his second visionary visit to Jerusalem. We read of his first in chapters 8-11. He saw the Temple profaned by God’s people and he saw the spiritual glory of God depart the Temple Mount.

At this visionary visit to Jerusalem, at the end of Ezekiel’s ministry, he saw the actual Temple, and the glory of God return to Mount Zion.

And Ezekiel said...“When God brought me there, behold, there was a “man” whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring reed in his hand. And he was standing in the gateway.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭40:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The Father transported Ezekiel to Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. And when Ezekiel got there the Lord Jesus was there. His appearance was like that of brilliant shiny bronze. Jesus was there to be Ezekiel’s guide through the vision.

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

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭40:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus told the prophet to pay close attention to what he would see and hear. Because it would be his job to declare all that he experienced there to the house of Israel in exile. Therefore, all the numbers and all the details of the new Temple that would be built was real, not just spiritual or symbolic.

This message about the new Temple in Jerusalem would be very important to the Israelis. It would confirm previous oracles that predicted a restoration of the nation of Israel in their land and in their beautiful city on a hill.

An interesting note to me...Some read this historical prophesy about Israel’s restoration to their land and their place of worship with a question...”When Ezra led Israel to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, did it look like the one prophesied of by Ezekiel’s vision?

Answer: No

Then....when Herod built the magnificent Temple structure for the Jews in Jerusalem during his rule in Judea, did it look like the one prophesied of by Ezekiel’s vision?

Answer: No

So here is where I carefully stand...The Temple described here must relate to the Millennial Kingdom age of the 1000 yr reign of Christ upon the earth.

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be released for a little while.

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also, I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God (the martyrs), and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.

They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead (those who died in their sins, unforgiven and unsaved ) did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭20:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It is my belief (for now), that the Temple that Jesus showed and described in such perfect detail to Ezekiel, was the Temple of the Revelation 20 Millennial age. The priests and sacrifices offered there would be “memorials” looking back at the true perfect sacrifice for sin...the cross of Jesus. Jesus told his disciples that he wouldn't partake of the communion cup until he shared it with them in the coming Kingdom. So, like the Temple would memorialize the perfect sacrifice for sin, so would the broken bread and the cup of the fruit of the vine.

One thing is for sure, Jesus tells Us, just as He told the prophet, pay attention to what you hear and see. This is coming...I am coming...and it won't be Babylon or any other nation or king that will rule the earth. I will rule from Jerusalem and you who believe Me will rule with Me.

Have a great day