March 17, 2022
John the Baptist said: “and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” Matthew 3:9
And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:29
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:16-17
Jesus said: “And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 8:11
It should be clear that entrance into heaven is not about a DNA test! Also, it should not surprise us that the pride and presumption that corrupted the nation of Israel before Jesus was born is still at work today among God’s professed people. It is the same pattern, regardless of the era. Sliding into error is the “default mode” of sinful human nature. As we approach the “end of the age” (Matthew 28:20), we are in a time of going “to and fro” in the Bible (Daniel 12:4), with the help of modern technology. A growing Christian will:
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
In studying the sealed people of God in Revelation 7, the unusual sequence of names of the tribes of Israel should get our attention. You may remember that “Israel,” which was Jacob’s new name (Genesis 32:28), means “Overcomer with God.” In Bible times, names always had meaning. As each of Jacob’s children were born, the circumstances influenced the names that were chosen for them. This unique collection of tribal names from Revelation 7:5-8 is not in birth sequence. In no other place in the Word are the names presented in this order…
Judah means “I will praise the LORD” Reuben means “He has looked on me” Gad means “Given good fortune” Asher means “Happy am I” Naphtali means “My wrestling” Manasseh means “Making me to forget” Simeon means “God hears me” Levi means “Attached to me” Issachar means “Purchased me” Zebulon means “Dwelling” Joseph means “God will add to me” Benjamin means “Son of His right hand”
Both Hebrew and Greek were written in block form without punctuation or many of the conjunctions that are used in English. However, it is not difficult to make sense of the order of names listed in Revelation 7, for it is the story of redemption in a “nutshell.”
I will praise the LORD, for He has looked on me and granted good fortune. I am happy because my wrestling He is making me to forget. God hears me and is attached to me. He has purchased me a dwelling and will add to me the Son of His right hand.
“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Genesis 15:1