Scripture tell us: The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. (Revelation 13:2b) The dragon is Satan. His plan is to eclipse Jesus and the truth of His Word with substitute ideas, altered commandments, and earthly grandeur. In this way, Satan deceives people into worshiping him instead. Beloved, thank Jesus for His Word! He speaks with impartial honesty on every subject.
Read MoreGod’s Spirit spoke through Daniel, who saw in vision the efforts of Satan to usurp the roles of Jesus and deceive people into worshiping him. It is similar to a “bait and switch” scheme. The word “antichrist”(used by John in the New Testament) is usually taken to mean “against Christ”, but it also means “in the place of Christ.” This power claims to speak for God.
Read MoreThe conversation between Jesus and Pilate bears many haunting similarities to the watered-down thinking in the world of today. The great question “What is truth?” is asked, but Pilate leaves without pursuing, or even waiting for, the answer. Impatience, willful ignorance, or laziness can all be behind coming very near the kingdom of God yet failing to enter.
Read MoreThe priest caught the blood and “recorded” the confessed sin in the Holy Place. God’s record-keeping is flawless. Confessed sins are forgiven sins, recorded and covered in blood: the precious blood of the Lamb who has become our Advocate. When the Accuser points out our sin, our Advocate says, in effect, “Ah! Here it is right here: Forgiven!”
Read MoreLet us take a look at the office of prophet that Jesus fulfilled while on the earth. He was made manifest in human flesh to speak the words of life. Those who heard and believed Him were persuaded to leave behind their sinful pasts and pursue life!
Read MoreThere is a popular and dangerous teaching that has gained much traction in recent decades. In it, our enemy has injected procrastination into his web of entanglements; he would have us believe that there is an additional seven years beyond the return of Jesus for those who have rejected Christ.
Read MoreIt is fascinating to think of Jesus calmly stooping down to write with His finger in the dust on the temple floor. In the scene of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), we see the power of Jesus, and the power of His Word. Satan was ever about the business of securing the ruin of Jesus (and now, of course, His followers).
Read MoreOur compassionate God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah of a future day in which He will not remember my sins. Such a thought is too wonderful for me!
Read MoreThis was the second time in His earthly ministry that Jesus cleansed the temple. His usual demeanor which can easily be described as “calm” or “never-in-a-hurry” is in dramatic contrast with these two episodes. These cleansings, which punctuated the beginning and the end of His earthly ministry, flashed an “EMERGENCY!” sign, illustrating the pressing urgency of making distinctions . . .
Read MoreThe tabernacle, on the outside, looked fairly plain. But inside it was gloriously beautiful, augmented by the glory of the presence of God manifested above the mercy seat of the ark. Likewise, Jesus appeared as an ordinary man. But bright glimpses of heavenly glory were perceived by those who hungered and thirsted for righteousness
Read MoreThis very prophetic passage from Psalm 74 shines a bright light for the student of God’s Word who understands the purpose of the sanctuary: to point toward, magnify, and testify to the work of the Son of God in the process of reconciling the world unto Himself.
Read MoreOur self-imposed separation from God is the reason for which He so faithfully and completely displays His divine plan of reconciliation. The complex nature of sin’s deception calls for our willingness to be immersed into the process.
Read MoreThere are many terrible, and yet truthful, accusations that our enemy desires to hurl at me before the throne of God.
Read MoreIn the days of the early Apostolic Church, the pure Gospel message was spreading in ever-widening circles. The life-changing, heart-renewing message reverberated throughout the known world.
Read MoreThe experience of the rescued children of Israel, as they moved away from Egypt and toward the Promised Land, is illustratively detailed in the earthly sanctuary.
Read MoreDuring their sojourn in Egypt, the Hebrew nation contained a remnant who actively passed down God’s law from generation to generation. Their minds were able to grasp and commit to memory the perfect word-for-word orations of the committed older generations.
Read MoreBeloved, today and tomorrow we will revisit the Exodus from Egypt in light of the pattern that God has given us in the sanctuary. By this map, God is leading His followers all the way back to Himself!
Read MoreToday let’s look again at the “map” that God has given us: His G.P.S. (Gospel Plan of Salvation). Each landmark on this map corresponds with the wounds of Jesus’ body upon the cross. Remember the outline of the cross that surrounds the six articles of sanctuary furniture.
Read MoreThis sounds like hide-and-seek, but it was not a game. The LORD was asking the question, not because He didn’t know where Adam was, but to make Adam aware that he had become lost. A lost condition precedes the instinct to run away from God, so He sought after His beloved people.
Read MoreThis sound principle is the basis for our court system. A case is tried by an impartial third party: a judge and a jury of peers. The day is coming when all of the true followers of Jesus will serve in jury duty.
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