Mike Kines

Luke 2:22-40

In these scriptures we see angels from the Lord announcing the arrival of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Angels appeared to Zacharias, Mary, and to shepherds. Here we see the proclamation of the Son of God was given to two prophets who were in the temple when Joseph and Mary brought the child there to present him to the Lord.

The first prophet was Simeon. He was glad to see the child because it meant his earthly journey was almost over and he was ready to be with the Lord in heaven. He also blessed Mary and Joseph and had a personal word of prophecy for Mary that a sword would pierce her heart. No doubt this word was for when the Lord Jesus died upon the cross and Mary was there and saw him executed.

The other prophet was Anna. She was a godly woman who had served God in fasting and praying for many years since her husband died. She also gave thanks to the Lord and acknowledged that this child was the promised Messiah of God.

Once Joseph and Mary completed all the requirements of the law regarding a newborn son they returned to Nazareth and the Lord Jesus grew up, strong in spirit, and the grace of God was upon him. The scripture describes Jesus as being full of wisdom.

This was a good example of how God used believers to confirm a word of God. It shows us how the church can work together to encourage one another and to build up the faith of one another. It also shows us that the Lord reveals specific truths to individuals and those individuals then have a responsibility to share with others.

Every Christian should share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Let us encourage one another, share the gospel, and build up the faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Luke 2:41-52

Mary and Joseph went up every year to the feast of the Passover at Jerusalem. When Jesus was twelve years old he went with them to Jerusalem. When the feast was over they went back home but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem at the temple. They did not realize that Jesus was missing for an entire day! Finally they found him after three days!

The Lord Jesus amazed the people who were in the temple with his questions. He listened to them and asked questions. Everyone who listened to him were amazed at his understanding and answers.

Understandably Mary and Joseph were upset with Jesus when they found him. The Lord Jesus replied, "Didn't you know I had to be about my father's business?" Mary and Joseph did not understand his answer, which was a question.

The Lord Jesus went with them down to Nazareth and was subject to them. Mary remembered all of these events in the life of Jesus and pondered them in her heart.

The Lord Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.

I don't think this account should be interpreted as Jesus being rebellious towards his parents. I don't think his attitude was one of rebellion. However, as in this example, we see in the life of Jesus many time people did not understand his purpose, his mission, and why he did what he did. Even his own disciples tried to stop him from going to the cross at Calvary. Jesus was not turned aside from this goal, and that was to complete his Father's will.

How can we apply this to our life? Do we have this single minded goal and purpose? Is our goal in life to please God? Is our goal in life complete obedience to Gods' will for our life?

Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. Everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus is saved. Cry out to God most high, unto God who performs all things for us.

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Luke 2:1-7

The account of the birth of Jesus Christ was contained within a historical context. Luke recorded the names of Caesar Augustus, and Cyrenias. He described the Roman tax edict which forced people to relocate temporarily to their hometown. Through this movement of the government the Lord fulfilled his word that the Lord Jesus would be born in the city of Bethlehem. The King of kings and Lord of lords was born in a stable and laid in a manger. This was how God decided he would be born into the world. As a babe in a manger. This revealed something fundamental about the character and nature of God.

It also shows us that the kingdom of God is radically different from the world system we live in. The world system is based upon the names of men who make themselves famous. They exalt their own names and in this way control other men. They force men to submit to their names and the more people they bring under their name the more power (provision, protection, and portion) they create. This is the way of Satan.

The way of the Lord Jesus is completely opposite. The kingdom of God is not based on the pride of life. It is based on humility and love. Read Philippians chapter 2 to see a description of the humility of the Lord Jesus.

When we truly understand this principle it reveals the stark contrast between the Lord Jesus and the way churches, businesses, and our daily lives are conducted in this world. We are far, far away from the kingdom of God in this current world system.

This world is passing away. The Lord Jesus came into this world as a babe in a manger, and when he grew up he told others he had no place to lay his head. Those who followed him became like him. They lose more and more of this world but gain more and more of the kingdom of God.

There was no room for them in the inn. This summarized the attitude of most people toward the Lord Jesus. They did not make any room for him in their lives. Yet he was the most important person who ever lived on this planet. He was greater than any king or president or celebrity who ever lived. Why can't people understand this? Because they have made their agreement with Satan and he blinded their eyes to the truth of the majesty and greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their agreement with Satan blinded their eyes and they could not see the Lord Jesus Christ.

Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is saved. Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and you will be saved. Saved from self, saved from sin, saved from the devil, saved from this world system, and saved from a lake of fire.

Luke 2:8-21

Angels from heaven appeared to a group of shepherds in a field at night. The shepherds were terrified but the angels told them not to be afraid because they brought good news of the birth of the Messiah. The angels told the shepherds where to find the newborn Messiah. The sign to look for was a baby lying in a manger. Notice how much was made of the fact that the King of the Universe was born in a stable and laid in a manger. God was drawing attention to his character and his nature. Who is God? Look at this lowly stable and manger and behold the God of the Universe.

The shepherds did what the angels said and found the Lord Jesus lying in the manger. They told everyone in that area about what they saw, heard, and experienced regarding the Lord Jesus Christ. This was normal for anyone who had truly come into contact with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Joseph and Mary circumcised Jesus on the eighth day according to the law and gave him the name Jesus. He was given the name Jesus by the angel Gabriel before he was conceived, just like John the Baptist.

God knows our name. Many people say that they know their Lord Jesus, but does Jesus know them? Does he know their name?

Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose from the dead on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus is saved. He is returning again to receive us unto himself that where he is we may be also. May the Lord Jesus return quickly to this earth and establish his kingdom over all the nations of the earth.

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Luke 1:46-56

Mary's response to the greeting of Elizabeth was to give praise and honor and glory to God. From her innermost being she gave praise to God and rejoiced in the Lord. She acknowledged it was the Lord who chose her and that she had done nothing to commend herself to God. It was the Lord who singled her out for the blessing of being the mother of the Messiah. She realized that all generations would remember her and consider her blessed by the Lord. This realization was her agreement with the truth stated by the angel Gabriel and her agreement with the words of Elizabeth. She did not lift herself up as someone to be praised but rather she acknowledged the truth about her participation in eternal history.

Mary taught us something about the character and nature of God in her song of praise. She said that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. This is a revelation of God which goes through the entire Bible and it is the character of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus always opposed the proud and gave grace to the humble.

Mary remembered the promise given to Abraham and his seed forever. Mary understood the promise of the Messiah which was the seed of the woman. This was revealed in Genesis when God promised the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent. This prophecy was fulfilled at Calvary when the Lord Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all earth below! Hallelujah, for the Lord God Almighty reigns.

Luke 1:57-66

Elizabeth gave birth to John. Her relatives wanted to give him another name but she insisted on calling him John. Everyone was confused by this because usually a child was named after a close relative and there was no one in that family named John. The relatives turned to Zacharias to see what he wanted to name John. He asked for something to write on and he wrote the boy's name was John like the angel Gabriel told him. When Zacharias did this he was released from his dumbness and was able to speak again. The first thing he said was praise to God.

We can learn a lot from the account of Elizabeth, Zacharias, and John. One thing I've learned is that when we obey God it sets us free. When Zacharias obeyed the Lord he was set free and able to speak again. Instead of unbelief he was filled with faith and praise to God.

Another thought is that when God does something in our life it is never for just us alone. Everyone in that entire area was touched by what happened to Elizabeth, Zacharias, and John. Everyone was in awe and wonder at what God did and they all knew God had special plans for John. Everyone remembered what happened. They laid it up in their hearts which was the same phrase used to describe how Mary remembered everything which happened to her.

I know in my life when God touched me I remember it. I had a few times in my life when God spoke to me or touched me and I never forgot. I stored up the works of God in my heart so I can remember in the future that God is real, and he loves me, and he has a plan for my life.

Jesus Christ is God the Son and he is the Son of God. He died on the cross for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.

Luke 1:67-80

When Gabriel's word was fulfilled Zacharias got his voice back. He wrote down the name of his son was John and at that moment got his voice back.

The first thing he did was give honor, glory, and praise to the Lord Jesus.

I've noticed there is a pattern in this chapter. The angel Gabriel spoke to Zacharias and Mary and told them they would have sons, one a prophet, and the other the Messiah. These two accounts are tied together by the angel Gabriel. Also, in both cases, the fulfillment of the prophecy brought further prophecy out of the mouth of Mary and Zacharias. There is a multiplication of praise, worship, and proclaiming God's word. There is multiplied revelation of who God is and what God does in our lives.

We see this continues even to this day. God's word stands before us. We receive God's word, we believe God's word, and as a result, our lives bring honor, glory, and praise to God. We open our mouth and we speak and the Lord speaks through us to others. The word of God is not bound by time, or space, or distance. The word of God is not bound, but continues to multiply, and spread, and touch the lives of those who hear, receive, and believe. We become a vessel of God's word to reach the next generation of those who hear, receive, and believe.

Zacharias knew the plan of God for the life of his son John. He said that John was a prophet and would go before the Lord to prepare the way for him.

Verse 80, "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel."

There's a lot packed in that verse. We grow stronger spiritually when we are hid with God in the desert. It is through suffering that we learn obedience. It is on the backside of the desert that we learn how weak and helpless we are. It is in that place we are humbled and so we learn that we do not live by bread alone but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of the Lord do we live.

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Luke 1:26-38

Six months after Gabriel appeared to Zacharias at the temple he also appeared to Mary. He told her that she would have a son and his name would be called Jesus. Gabriel told Mary that Jesus would be great and would be called the Son of the Highest and that the Lord God would give him the throne of his father David. He would reign over the house of Jacob and his kingdom would have no end.

Part of this prophecy from Gabriel is still yet in our future today. The Lord Jesus will yet return to the earth and sit upon the throne of David in Jerusalem and reign over all the nations of the earth with a rod of iron. This is described for us in the book of Revelation.

Mary had questions about how this prophecy would happen but she did not have an attitude of unbelief as Zacharias. She was not disciplined or rebuked in the same way as Zacharias. Mary believed the word which the angel spoke to her.

The angel told Mary that the Holy Ghost would come upon her and she would conceive a son. The angel told Mary that her cousin Elisabeth was also expecting a son.

Verse 37, "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

I need to remember this in my life. With God nothing is impossible. I have hope because I do not yet know what the Lord can do in my life. Consider the account of Job in the Bible and remember that the Lord is merciful and filled with compassion for his servants.

Nothing is impossible with the Lord.

Mary believed the message from Gabriel.

Within this prophecy from Gabriel we also have a future hope that the Lord Jesus will return again to this earth and reign over the nation of Israel. We have not yet seen the complete fulfillment of this prophecy. However, since we know that the word which Gabriel said to Mary was fulfilled we know also that the rest of this prophecy will be fulfilled as well. The Lord Jesus will sit upon the throne of David and rule over the nation of Israel. Do we believe this message as Mary did? Or do we have the attitude of Zacharias who did not believe and was rebuked by the Lord.

Let us have faith and believe in God's word. Nothing is impossible with the Lord. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think.

Luke 1:39-45

Elizabeth receives a revelation when she was filled with the Holy Spirit. What did she know? She knew that Mary was carrying a baby who was the Messiah. She said that Mary was the mother of her Lord. She also knew that Mary believed the word from the angel Gabriel. This stands in contrast to Zacharias who did not believe the word of the angel and was disciplined for his unbelief.

I don't think Elizabeth knew this information before Mary came to visit her simply because of how this was recorded by Luke. This was the first contact Mary and Elizabeth had and it seems from a straight forward reading of these verses that Elizabeth did not know any of these things before Mary showed up. She received knowledge from the Holy Spirit when she heard Mary's greeting. This might be called a "word of knowledge" from the Lord and it is a very real spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit. Revelation like this from the Lord is real.

What did Elizabeth say? She called Mary "blessed" and also the fruit of her womb "blessed". She was blessed because God chose her to be the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There was great humility in Elizabeth's words. She was surprised that the mother of the Messiah would come and visit her. This shows that Elizabeth did not think of herself more highly than she ought but she considered herself with sober judgment.

She shared with Mary that the baby inside her leaped with joy when he heard the voice of Mary. This shows there was a deep connection between John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Christ. That connection was the Holy Spirit of God.

Christian brothers and sisters have this connection as well. I've never known in my life more joy than when I find a true brother in Christ. It is truly the greatest joy in my life to fellowship with another brother in Christ and to encourage one another in our faith in the Lord Jesus. Some of my greatest moments of happiness were over an open Bible with another brother or sister in Christ.

This passage also reminds me of how important it is to show hospitality to others and be ready to drop everything when someone shows up. You never know you might be entertaining angels without realizing it.

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Luke 1:1-4

Luke dedicated this historical record of the life of Jesus Christ to his friend Theophilus. From the way this dedication was worded we assume Theophilus was an important person. Evidently he was a Christian and knew Luke in some capacity. Luke wrote this account of the life of Jesus Christ to help Theophilus and also provided a document which was included in the canon of the Holy Bible.

The gospel of Luke is scripture and is inspired by the Holy Spirit to help us understand the history of the Lord Jesus Christ, his life, his ministry, his death, and his resurrection. Luke also recorded the history of the early church in the book of Acts.

The gospel of Luke is different in that it records the history of how the Lord Jesus was born in a manger, the events surrounding his birth, and his early life.

Luke was included in what theologians call the synoptic gospels, which is Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Though Luke may have written this for one person it has touched millions of lives. How often do we in our Christian life think we are just helping one person, but in the end, we may find out that many lives were touched through our serving one person. We won't know until we get to heaven how many others were blessed through our helping one person.

Luke 1:5-25

Zacharias served in the temple as a priest burning incense. He was part of a large group of people who took turn serving in the temple. It was his turn and when he went in to burn the incense an angel appeared to him. This angel had a message for Zacharias. The name of the angel was Gabriel. How do we know this? The angel told Zacharias his name. Gabriel told him his name when he rebuked him. Zacharias did not believe Gabriel's message.

Gabriel's message was that Zacharias' wife would have a son who would grow up to be a prophet. His son, who became John the Baptist, would prepare the way for the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. As we learn in this chapter, these were all related to one another. Zacharias' wife, Elisabeth, was related to Mary the mother of Jesus. Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins.

Gabriel told Zacharias to name the son John and gave specific instructions on how the boy would be raised and grow up. These instructions were similar to the laws regarding a Nazarite in the Old Testament. It was also similar to instructions that an angel gave to the parents of Samson in the book of Judges.

Because Zacharias did not believe the message he was stricken dumb until John was born. He was disciplined for his unbelief by the angel. Unbelief at God's word is very dangerous. We should hear God's word's, receive God's word, and believe God's word. Walk in agreement with the truth in God's word.

When the time of his ministry was complete Zacharias returned home. Everyone knew something happened to him in the temple and that he had a vision.

Angels are real. God sends angels to intervene in the lives of people on earth. Sometimes God sends an angel to give a message to people under certain circumstances. Whatever message an angel has it should not contradict the written word of God. If it does then the angel is not from the Lord but is false. Also, an angel will never accept worship. An angel from the Lord will point you to the Lord Jesus Christ and not to its own self.

God hears our prayers. This is an example of how a man prayed for something but evidently did not have faith his prayer would be answered. Another example of this is in the book of Acts when Christians prayed for Peter to be released and when he was released they did not believe it. It is interesting to me how God answers some prayers when people do not really have faith the prayer will be answered. This fact contradicts the false doctrine of the prosperity gospel.

This chapter is filled with the supernatural. When Christians try to minimize the supernatural part of the Bible they end up with dry morality and dead religion like Zacharias. Obviously Zacharias went through the religious routines. He did not expect to hear from God or receive an answer to his prayer. We should have an attitude of expecting God to hear our prayer and answer our prayer. Let's sing the song of faith before the Red Sea is parted. Before we are delivered let us praise God for the deliverance so that we can learn more of who the Lord is and experience his presence in our lives.

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The Resurrection – Mark 16

The gospel of Mark is an abbreviated synopsis of events which were further expanded on in Matthew and Luke.

The Lord Jesus first appeared to Mary out of whom he he had previously cast out demons. He appeared to this Mary of Magdalene. She then related to the disciples that the Lord Jesus was alive. The disciples did not believe her testimony. The Lord Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, but the disciples did not believe their testimony either. Finally the Lord Jesus appeared to all of the disciples at once and he rebuked them for their unbelief.

I wonder why the Lord Jesus appeared to Mary first. She became the first person to announce the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day. When the women who had followed Jesus went to his tomb on that day to put spices on his body they discovered the tomb was opened and an angel was there. The angel told them that Jesus of Nazareth, who died from crucifixion and was buried, was now raised from the dead. He told the women to tell the other disciples and Peter that he would go before them into Galilee.

The Lord Jesus gave his disciples the great commission and told them to preach the gospel. He said that those who worked with him in preaching the gospel would be followed by signs such as speaking in new tongues, driving out demons, healing from snake bites, and also healing from any poison. The Lord Jesus said that those who followed him would lay hands on the sick and they would recover.

After he gave his disciples instructions he was taken up to heaven and sat at the right hand of God. Here again we have evidence that God is three in one. He is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

Romans 10:9-10, 13, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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The Crucifixion, Death, and Burial of Jesus – Mark 15

1 Corinthians 15:3-4, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures"

After the unlawful trial the Lord Jesus endured he was handed over to Pilate by the religious leaders. They did this because they did not have the legal authority to crucify anyone. The religious leaders lost their authority to execute people. Later in the book of Acts when they killed Stephen it was illegal. In the case of the Lord the religious leaders took Jesus to Pilate to have him executed by Roman crucifixion. They knew they could put political pressure on Pilate to crucify the Lord Jesus.

Pilate never found the Lord Jesus guilty of anything. He realized it was for envy the religious leaders handed him over. Though Pilate never convicted Jesus of any crime he handed him over to be crucified. The Lord Jesus suffered by the Romans and was led away to the cross.

A Satanic frenzy came upon the crowd in Jerusalem, and they screamed for the blood of Christ. They screamed in the streets: "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

The soldiers mocked Christ when he was turned over to them. They twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They found a purple robe and draped it around him. They bowed down to him and said, "Hail King of the Jews!"

The Lord Jesus could not carry his cross all the way to Calvary, but had help to carry the cross. Even today the Lord Jesus needs people to bear the cross with him. The Lord Jesus wants to partner with us in this generation to bring the message of the gospel to this lost generation.

He was crucified between two thieves. While he hung there the crowds asked the question, "If he is the Christ, why doesn't he save himself?" This question showed that they did not understand that Christ had to suffer and die for their sins.

Before Jesus died he cried out: "My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?"

At this point all the sins that ever have been or ever will be were placed upon the Lord Jesus Christ. He bore the sins of many and made atonement by his death on the cross.

When Jesus died on the cross a Roman centurion rendered the verdict of Jesus Christ. Mark 15:39, "And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God." A Roman soldier could see the truth about the Lord Jesus but the religious leaders did not.

After the Lord died he was buried by his friends. He was buried in a tomb which belonged to Joseph of Arimathaea.

The Lord Jesus was accused of blasphemy for being who he was. The Lord Jesus was the Son of God. He is God the Son. For this reason he was condemned by the religious leaders and murdered by the Roman government. Those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ also experience similar treatment from the religious world and the secular world.

Christians do not belong to this world. Our kingdom will come one day. Until then, we must deny ourselves, take up the cross, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:5-11, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

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Betrayed, Arrested, Denied – Mark 14

Mark 14:27-28, "And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee."

In this chapter the Lord Jesus was betrayed by Judas, he was arrested, and he was denied by Peter.

The Lord knew these things would happen before they happened. He prophesied about the betrayal of Judas and the denial by Peter. He told them he would be taken, that he would die, and that he would rise again. He told them he would go before them into Galilee.

They did not believe him. Judas did not think that what he did was betrayal at that moment. Peter did not believe he would deny Jesus. None of them believed the Lord Jesus would die. None believed that he would rise again and go before them into Galilee. Yet everything the Lord Jesus said would happen did happen just like he said it would.

God's word is filled with prophecy about what is happening in our world around us at this moment. The Bible is filled with prophecy about the rapture of the church, the seven years of tribulation, the rise of the man of sin, the second coming of Jesus Christ. When people believe in God's word they can see these things taking shape in the world all around us.

The disciples knew that something sorrowful was happening. They saw the Lord Jesus mourn in the garden of Gethsemane. A supernatural weariness came upon them and they were unable to keep their eyes open while the Lord Jesus walked through this final trial by himself. The Lord Jesus urged them to watch and pray.

This scene in the garden of Gethsemane is replaying again today in the church. There are incredible prophecies coming to pass in our time and yet for the most part the church is asleep. They do not see what is happening right now. The Lord Jesus urges us to watch and to pray. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

The religious leaders were determined to kill the Lord Jesus. His trial did not prove that the Lord Jesus was guilty of anything but what he always said. He was the Son of God. For this statement the religious leaders said he was a blasphemer and worthy of death. However, the Lord Jesus did not blaspheme. He told them the truth. He told them exactly what would happen. For this they were ready to kill him. Instead of believing in God's word they followed the work of the devil and allowed murder to enter their hearts. The story of Cain and Abel is repeated over and over.

The same is always true. When men do not believe in God their hearts are filled with the work of the devil.

John 8:37-38, "I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father."

John 8:44-47, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God."

Do not be a follower of self, sin, the world, and the devil. Instead, humble yourself, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. Throw away your opinions and seek the Lord while he may be found. Let us call upon the Lord while he is near. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. (1 Peter 5:6, Luke 9:23, Isaiah 55:6, Romans 10:13).

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The Last Days – Mark 13

The disciples thought the buildings were a big deal and pointed it out to the Lord Jesus. His reply was that all the buildings would be destroyed. This inspired the disciples to think about about the end of the world because they questioned him about this.

The Lord Jesus responded to them and went into great detail. Some things he covered included symptoms of the last days and important facts about the end days.

The Lord Jesus warned there would be much deception. People would claim they are "I AM" which was the Hebrew term for Yahweh or God. Sadly, this is happening now in the word of faith cult with people like Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, and others in this movement calling themselves gods. This points back to the Garden of Eden when Satan told Eve she could be a god if she ate the fruit. Many people try to ascend to their "higher selves" and achieve "godhood". Mormonism is an example, as is the New Age movement, along with the Word of Faith cult. Joel Osteen said Mormons are Christians. Of course he does. They believe the same fundamental thing that men are gods. They believe they can speak things into existence with positive confession. This is witchcraft. These people in the word of faith cult are as satanic as Joseph Smith and the Mormon church.

The Lord Jesus warned the disciples that following Christ would not be easy. It never was easy to be a Christian because the world hates true Christians. The Lord Jesus told us this ahead of time. In the last days it is especially terrible and the Lord Jesus warned because of Christian persecution that doors would open for us to be a witness to the world.

There is also many signs surrounding the end of the world such as earthquakes, famines, and wars. What century has ever seen as much war as last century, during the 20th Century, when we saw two world wars, and countless smaller wars that happened. I've heard there are now more earthquakes than ever before and that the weather is changing rapidly. There are specific signs that take place immediately before the second coming of Christ which include stars falling out of the sky and the heavens being shaken.

The Lord Jesus said there was no use trying to figure out the day or the hour when all this would happen. It is best to always be ready and to live in view of the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ. When he comes there won't be time to get ready so you must get ready right now.

The Lord Jesus said in verse 31, "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Amen, forever, oh Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

Mark 13:5, "And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:"

When the Lord Jesus described the end of the age and the last days he warned his disciples not to be deceived. He said to them to take heed lest any man deceive you. One of the signs which show we are at the end of the age is mass deception and delusion.

The Lord Jesus described events which could be interpreted happening in AD 70 when Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the Jewish temple. There was no abomination of desolation in AD 70. That happened between the Old Testament and the New Testament before Christ was born. Antiochus Epiphanes erected an abomination of desolation in the temple which led to the Maccabean revolt during the history of the Jews before Jesus was born. How could Jesus speak of a past event as something yet in the future?

To understand this we have to view prophecy in the same way the Hebrew mind views prophecy.

In the Hebrew mind prophecy is a pattern in history. In the Greek mind prophecy is like fortune telling: an event is predicted and happens.

In the Hebrew mind prophecy is seeing a pattern of God in history and knowing it will happen in the future based upon seeing the pattern of God and knowing the character of God.

No one ever saw the pattern of God better than Jesus Christ. He clearly saw a time which would be like what happened with the previous abomination of desolation in the temple. A time of great evil would come again upon the Jewish people in the last days.

What the Lord Jesus described here pointed to a period of time which was also known as Jacob's trouble, or the Great Tribulation.

He concluded by saying to be watchful for the return of the Lord Jesus. When he returned it would be in the same way he ascended to heaven. Don't believe false prophets who claim to be the Messiah. In the last days many will be deceived by supernatural powers which liars use to deceive people.

The Lord told us how things will be so we can prepare. The Lord's people are not in darkness but they are of the light. Therefore let us wake up to the day in which we live. We should not to be afraid but prepare ourselves for the return of the Lord Jesus. Be alert and always keep on watching for the return of the Lord Jesus.

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The Lord Jesus Examined – Mark 12

The Lord Jesus told a parable the Pharisees could understand. It was a parable that they guessed correctly that the Lord Jesus implied that they were villains. The villains in the story were thieves and murderers and this was what the Lord Jesus thought about the religious leaders.

The religious leaders had some trick questions for the Lord Jesus. They questioned the Lord Jesus about paying taxes. Perhaps they would catch him between legal obligation to the government and the resentment felt among the people toward the Romans. They thought they could make him either a tax-evader or force him to lose favor with the crowd.

Of course, the trick did not work. The Lord Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar's what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's." The coin was made in Caesar's image but man was made in the image of God. This reply surprised them and it made the common people rejoice because of him.

Next they asked the Lord Jesus a hypothetical question. An imaginary scenario was created by the questioner regarding marriage and resurrection. The Lord Jesus said they did not know the Bible or the power of God. The Lord Jesus reaffirmed that there will be a resurrection.

Another question put to Jesus: what was the greatest commandment? After he answered this it appeared the questioner only half-heartedly tried to trick the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus gave him a compliment. Perhaps this was a sincere question from that man.

The Lord Jesus asked the final question: whose son is the Christ? This question seemed easy but when they gave their reply the Lord Jesus asked a follow-up question: "David himself calls him 'Lord'. How then can he be his son?"

The Lord Jesus commended a poor widow's offering. This shows God is always mindful of the smallest sacrifices we make. He remembers the good we do even if we give a cup of cold water to one of his disciples.

The Lord Jesus told a parable against the religious leaders. In turn they tried to trap him with religious questions about paying taxes, marriage, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment. The Lord Jesus answered all the questions and asked them a question.

The question the Lord Jesus asked them pointed to the Son of David as the Son of God. How can David, in the Spirit, call his son "Lord"? The only answer was that the Son of David was also the Son of God. These religious leaders were unable to accept this.

This is where religious people, false religions, and unbelievers attack. They attack the fact that the Lord Jesus is both fully man and fully God. If the Lord Jesus were not God he would not be sinless. If he were not sinless he could not have been the Lamb of God who took away our sin. However, we know the scripture teaches that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God and is completely sinless.

Mark 1:1, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;"

Mark 15:39, "And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God."

John 9:35-38, "Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him."

1 Peter 1:19, "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"

Hebrews 4:15, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

All the questions the religious leaders asked were hypocritical. They did not ask questions to find the truth but instead to trap the Lord Jesus in his words so they would have a reason to accuse him.

The Lord Jesus told his disciples to beware of the religious leaders and not to follow their example.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com