Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedars! Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, for the glorious trees are ruined! Wail, oaks of Bashan, for the thick forest has been felled! The sound of the wail of the shepherds, for their glory is ruined! The sound of the roar of the lions, for the thicket of the Jordan is ruined!

Zechariah 11:1-3

Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedars! Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, for the glorious trees are ruined! Wail, oaks of Bashan, for the thick forest has been felled! The sound of the wail of the shepherds, for their glory is ruined! The sound of the roar of the lions, for the thicket of the Jordan is ruined! Zechariah 11:1-3

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 11:1-3, which the commentary outlines as the second of four divisions for the text 10:1-11:17 (10:1-12, 11:1-3, 11:4-14, 11:15-17).  The commentary shares how this text offers prophecy of what will occur to Jerusalem when Jesus arrives, as He is rejected by the Jewish elders and leaders.  The commentary shares: "There is strong reason to think that this is prophecy of what happened in AD 70, as the Roman army, under the leadership of General Titus, came into Jerusalem and completely leveled that city. Titus’s armies even tore down the temple, until one stone was not left standing on top of the other."  The problem described by the commentary is that when Jesus arrives and His ministry unfolds, He is rejected for who He is - the cornerstone or promised Messiah.  The Jewish elders and leaders sought an earthly leader and we all know that all earthly leaders are fallen and sinful - only Jesus is the perfect spotless lamb who can shepherd and save us.  We should not place faith in earthly leaders to do what only Jesus can do.  The text describes wailing over the destruction of Jerusalem and today there is much wailing over what exists in our broken sinful world - yet this will always be the case until Jesus returns for His second coming and as described in Revelation 21 when there will be a new Heaven and new earth.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Father God, only You save and You are saving a place for me and all believers where we will be united with all our loved ones and brothers and sisters in Christ who believe - what a glorious place this will be!  Thank You Jesus for my salvation.  Of course I am undeserving...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.    

Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you.

Isaiah 25

Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you. Isaiah 25:3

Today, I pause once again my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, where today John Piper seeks to encourage those who may be feeling as though their work in service to God may be in vain - for whatever the reason.  Piper uses Isaiah 25:3 where Isaiah prophecies final days (Revelation 21) where we see the New Heaven and the New Earth and the New Jerusalem - where all of God's people are with God forever in perfect harmony.  Believers should all know that this victory over sin and death is already won - through Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection - but these final days represent the fullness of this victory.  We should have confidence that this victory is already won and that we will be with God as Isaiah prophecies because God keeps His promises (see post yesterday). John Piper concludes the devotion by encouragement for those feeling as though they are working in vain: "[n]ot one life spent in the cause of world evangelization is spent in vain. Not one prayer or one dollar or one sermon or one letter of encouragement or one little light shining in some dark place — nothing in the cause of this advancing kingdom is in vain."  Press on - continue running the race with endurance!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Yes - You have already defeated sin and death and we can be confident of our salvation and being with You in Heaven for eternity.  What a glorious thing this will be!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation - the greatest gift of all time.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.

Isaiah 64-66

I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. Isaiah 65:19

This morning I completed my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, as today marks day 5 (of 5) of week 23, which examines Isaiah 64-66.  On this final day (at least for now) of my examination of Isaiah, I start with a look back at the entirety of Isaiah, and how it presents a complete portrait of the gospel and all of redemptive history.  With this video (part 1 of 2) from Southeastern Baptist Seminary, I better understand this portrait as the speaker shares that: "the book of Isaiah tells the entire redemption story. The literary shape of this book is one story from creation to the new creation through the redemptive work that is personal and comprehensive[.]"  We see multiple cycles of sin, judgement, and redemption and renewal. Today, I also think back and reflect on Isaiah's role in prophecies that range from Judah's captivity, its redemption and renewal, the coming Messiah (Jesus), and ultimately, prophecies of the end times that will bring about a New Heaven and New Earth where all of God's saved - the remnant - will live in eternity in glorious praise of the King of Kings Jesus Christ. This New Heaven and New Earth is described in Isaiah 65-66, as well as in 2 Peter 3:13 and Revelation 21.  At the same time, Isaiah closes (Isaiah 66:24) with a description of the eternal damnation that awaits those who hearts are hardened and fail to submit to Him.  I am referred to several scripture passages that describe this eternal damnation (unquenchable fire, lake of fire), including: Mark 9:42-48, Matthew 3:11-12, 13:36-48, 18:8-9, 25:36-41, Jude 7, and Revelation 19:19-21, 20:11-15, and 21:8. While it is important to understand the fate that awaits those who spurn God, I am going to close on a hopeful note, which is part of how Isaiah depicts the New Heaven and New Earth (New Jerusalem as described in Isaiah 65:19). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You indeed are great and I know You are saving a place for me in Heaven - which is glorious indeed!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor any blessing You pour out for me. My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy!

Isaiah 26-27

Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! Isaiah 26:19

I return to my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 10, Day 2, the focus continues with Isaiah 26-27, primarily on Isaiah 26, where my commentary indicates that while Isaiah 24-25 describe "triumphant prophecies of final victory by the Lord over all tyrants who oppress God’s people in this world[,]" God's people seek encouragement and guidance about how to endure in the present while waiting for God's promised end times judgement of the whole world.  In Isaiah 26, today's focus is on a contrast of the two different futures awaiting the dead - those of the faithful, and those who do not see nor acknowledge/accept God. Isaiah 26:14 and 26:19 represent the two different outcomes. They in 26:14 are described is not seeing God in 26:11. Revelation 21:4 portrays a beautiful picture of the New Heaven and Earth and how all tears will be wiped away:

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are worthy indeed of my praise and worship!  You give me - and all faithful - eternity in heaven with You and other believers!  I am not deserving of such a blessing - not by a long shot.  My sin is daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

Pages: 163-174

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:18-23

This morning, I continued with John Piper's Reading the Bible Supernaturally: Seeing and Savoring the Glory of God in Scripture, covering chapter ten - Reading toward the Consummation. Here, Piper seeks to unpack the final of six implications that flow from the ultimate goal of reading the Bible (as listed here); this implication is "so that more and more people would be drawn into the worshiping family of God until the bride of Christ-across all centuries and cultures-is complete in number and beauty."

Here, Piper describes the previous two chapters and how our reading of the Bible leads to seeing and savoring the glory of God and how we are then transformed by this seeing and savoring. Piper states that "[God] creates, gathers, transforms, and finally perfects a family of worshipers to fill the coming new earth with the glory of the Lord." As he starts to unpack the final and sixth implication from above, he steps back and looks at "God's roundabout way of preparing a bride" - the church.  God initially "chose a single ethnic group" - the Jews - but then due to Israel's disobedience, "God turned his direct and special focus of special revelation away from Israel and focused his saving work on the creation of a family from all the nations."  He then moves on to describe a time when the number in the family of God will be complete. Our transformation continues "until its completion at the coming of Christ. At that moment, in the coming of the Lord, the bride will be perfect in number in beauty." Piper writes that this moment will arrive with "certainty" referencing 1 Thessalonians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 1:7-9, and Philippians 1:6. Finally, Piper writes that this certainty is contingent on our continuing in the faith - we must have faith and continue in our transformation process through the reading of scripture - we must endure to the end.  See also Matthew 24:13, Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 3:6.

We must continue to the end so that we fill the new earth as described in Romans 8:18-23.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has created and saved a place for me in Heaven, the New Earth.  Thank You Jesus!  Thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life - You bless me immeasurably and I am not deserving of such blessings.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to Your Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.

Isaiah 65-66, 2 Kings 19:37, 2 Chronicles 32:21, 33:10-17, and Isaiah 37:38 

In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God. 2 Chronicles 33:12-13

Day 201 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) wraps up my study of Isaiah as God seeks to comfort Israel in exile.  This morning, my commentary* describes how God's words of comfort to Israel include an explanation for His judgement and punishment (exile) (Isaiah 65:1-7), how salvation is coming to the faithful remnant of Israel and Judah (Isaiah 65:8-10), and how God's servants can expect to be blessed (Isaiah 65:13-16, Isaiah 66:7-14).  Isaiah describes the Final Judgement, how He will create a new heavens and new earth, how pain and suffering will no longer exist, and how believers will experience eternal life (Isaiah 65:17-25). This message includes a stern warning for the unrepentant (Isaiah 65:11-12) who will experience eternal damnation (Isaiah 66:3-6, 15-17).

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

My commentary* asks "how anyone could ignore or reject such a powerful message", suggesting that "[s]ome will reject the message because they are willfully stubborn, and others because they are caught up in material pursuits, or pleasurable diversions, or even false religious worship. Perhaps saddest of all, God’s message will sometimes be hidden from the common people by the very ones who ought to bring understanding—the religious leaders".

My commentary* wraps today's study with Manasseh (see also earlier post as reference) repenting of his earlier and sinful turn away from God (2 Chronicles 33:10-11).

While God is patient (beyond any patience we can truly understand), RC Sproul reminds us that there are limits to God's patience. Manasseh and the remnant of believers in Israel and Judah are good examples of those who have understood these limits - we must also...or face dire consequences.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me faith...and demonstrated extreme patience, mercy and compassion with me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of all the second chances You give.  My sin continues - including harsh words.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:6-21

Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. v14

Session #13 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 22.  The title of the session is The End of the Beginning - this is the final session of the series.

The end of Revelation is just the beginning of a story where every chapter is better than the one before. Recap of Revelation:

• Not intended for hopeless speculation about the future; purpose is to fuel hopeful obedience in the present - 2 Peter 3 is another example of an exhortation of hopeful obedience.  We should undergo major examination of our lives.
• See the world in all of its deception; do not put your hope in government (the beast); do not put your hope in religion (false prophets); do not put your hope in material affluence and social acceptance (the prostitute) - don't base your life in things that don't matter!
• See the Christ in all of His glory; fully human and fully divine; fulfillment of prophecy and the final high priest; infinitely old and wise; sees all knows all and reigns over all; cannot hide anything from Him; purity has no error and His power knows no equal; His voice resounds with authority and His face radiates with light; He was dead for a time but He is alive for all time; He is the conquering Lion and the slaughtered Lamb; His worth is undisputed, His work is unforgettable, and His worship is universal; his birth declared the death of ancient serpent, His death deranged the adversary, and His resurrection demolished every accusation against the church; He is faithful and true; He is the righteous Judge and Messianic warrior;many crowns adorn His head and much mystery surrounds His name; He conquers God's enemies and He reveals God's Word; His grace is free and His joy is full!  He is the Savior who came once, and He is the Sovereign who is coming back soon (mentioned 3x in this chapter and time is near); He is the King of kings and Lord of lords; no one and nothing compares to Him.
• See the church in all her beauty; we are His body and bride.
• See your life in proper perspective; fight against sin! resist compromise; refuse complacency; God promises blessing for faithful and judgment for those who fall away; endure amidst suffering - do not be surprised by it; do not be overcome in it; Jesus is present with you, possesses you, has a purpose for you; proclaim gospel is Christ to everyone You know, to ends of earth; hasten the coming of Christ - give us unwavering holiness in this world with unshakable hope in the world to come!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are unshakable hope - thank You Jesus for the hope that You provide.  I am not deserving for the blessings You pour out for me, including the hope and peace You provide.  Please forgive me for my sin...it is daily.  Help me turn from my sin towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21-22:5

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4

Session #12 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 21-22:5.  The title of the session is The Consummation of the Kingdom.

We live in between two worlds:

• pilgrims on a journey in this country today.
• citizens of a kingdom in a country to come.

 We live between two times:

• the birth of Christ; kingdom of God has come and is a present reality.
• the return of Christ; the king of God is coming and His kingdom is our future.

We live for one purpose for the glory of God...meaning it is glorified when God's kingdom is consummated; people who are ruled and a place where the King has dominion, and purpose for the King and His kingdom.  Revelation is the culmination of the Bible - all of history pointing to this point.

• Creation: Genesis 1-2 | people (His blessing), fellowship (perfect), purpose (God's glory multiplied to all peoples)
• The Fall: Genesis 3-11 | disrupted fellowship (place), God's glory marred
• Patriarchs: Genesis 12-50 | place and promised fellowship
• Exodus and Conquest: Exodus - 1 Samuel 8 God and His place | tabernacle (place)
• United Monarchy: 1 Samuel 9 - 1 Kings 11; 1 Chronicles - 2 Chronicles 9: God with His people | temple (place)
• Divided Monarchy: 1 Kings 12 - 2 Kings; 2 Chronicles 10 - Esther - God with His people | exile (place)
• Jesus: Matthew - John - God among His people | incarnation (place)
• Present: Acts - Jude - God IN His people | body (place)
• New Creation: Revelation - God's final blessing and judgement

We give our lives to this kingdom - the climax of this story. Revelation 21:6 - "It is done".

It will be the end in two ways:

• inexpressible joy; Heaven exemplifies God's eternal blessing for conquerors who have turned from this world to Christ.
• irreversible justice; Hell exemplifies God's eternal judgement for cowards who have turned from Christ to this world.

We're going to dwell forever in the in-most place with the Holy God of the universe! Revelation 21:3

Death will be replaced by life!  Revelation 21:4

No more sin.  No more sorrow.  No more sickness.  No more separation. Tree of life - exists as blessing - no longer as curse Revelation 22:2-3

We will see His face! Revelation 22:4 We will reign with Him bodily resurrected - all creation will be restored. Every nation, people, tribe, and tongue living, loving, working, and worshiping together. Unified songs: worthy is the lamb! Glory to our God!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God indeed and it gives me great peace and excitement to KNOW that You have already defeated death and that I will reign with You forever in Heaven!  Thank You Jesus for reserving a place for me.  I am not deserving.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

Isaiah 65

See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. v17

Our God gives us many, many second chances, as he is a patient God.  Yet God's patience is not unlimited.  God will judge all of us - this should gives all of us urgency to live for God.  For those who live for God, there is hope and a glimpse of the end of times where we will experience a new heaven and new earth.  See also Revelation 21. Among the great promises from God for those who remain faithful:

He will provide (v13)
He will give us joy (v14, 18)
He will forgive all of our sins (v16, 17)
No more weeping or crying (v19)

Great promises indeed.

We must live with an eternal focus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and whose promises always come true - a faithful God indeed!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such a God as I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.