And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Mark 11:1-11

And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. Mark 11:11

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 11:1-11.  Excerpts from the commentary's fifth (of five) division (v11):

• The title of the fifth division per the commentary is "Worship the One Who Always Acts Justly."   
• "This day ends rather uneventfully. Tomorrow will be a different day (11:12-25). Jesus enters Jerusalem, goes to the temple, looks things over carefully, sees that it is “late” (late for the temple?), and leaves with the disciples for Bethany."  
• It appears that Jesus is no longer impressed with the temple as He might have been when He first saw the temple at 12 years old (see Luke 2:41-52).  "No, He makes a commanding survey of the situation and goes away to return the next day. Then He will curse something—the temple—that should have been bringing the nations to God (Mark 11:17) but in reality was driving them away."  
• "It would seem that this would have been the moment for Him to claim and receive His Messianic throne and kingdom. Amazingly, not one thing happens. The enthusiastic crowds have mysteriously vanished. Was He only “King for a day”? Jesus, with no fanfare whatsoever, leaves with the Twelve."  
• Mark 1 is linked to prophecy from Malachi 3:1-2 as the commentary shares from Malachi how "[t]he refining fire has arrived to purify that which is putrid. The cleansing lye has arrived to cleanse that which is filthy. He will start His work with the temple. He will finish His work on the cross. He acts justly when He judges. He is so worthy of our worship!"   
• The commentary shares a table below comparing the first coming of Jesus to the second.  

 

• "Few bowed before the great King the first time He came. However, every knee will bow when He comes again (Philippians 2:9-11)."

Indeed the portrait of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem humbly on a donkey compared to how He will arrive at the second coming is quite a contrast.  Jesus as the servant King is not something that humanity can understand without supernatural intervention - that of the Holy Spirit who intervenes to incline ears and soften hearts to hear, understand, and see the majesty of Jesus and what He did for us.  While still an enemy and hostile to Him (see Romans 5:10), Jesus willingly laid down His life, enduring unimaginable suffering and pain, so that we could be freed from slavery to sin now and for eternity.  Thank You Jesus!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that reigns.  I KNOW what You did for me and I eagerly await when You come again to reign in the New Jerusalem.  You give me salvation to be in attendance for this reign and You free from the bondage of sin now...giving the Holy Spirit also.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift - 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 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. 

"On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.["]

Zechariah 12:10-13, 13:1

"On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.["] Zechariah 13:1

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 12:10-13:1, which the commentary outlines as the third of three divisions for the text 12:1-13:1 (12:1, 12:2-9, 12:10-13:1).  Here, once again, the commentary clarifies how the text is a depiction of Christ at the Battle of Armageddon, foreshadowing Christ's second coming during the final days. It also shares how "Israel looks at Christ, [and] the people will realize something that had previously eluded them: their guilt in rejecting Him and their need for His forgiveness. Suddenly, the hearts of God’s people that have been hardened against Jesus, not just for decades, but for centuries and even millennia, will be softened. The rest of verse 10 as well as verse 11 describe the mourning and grief the nation will experience as they look upon Christ. The mourning is compared to that over the death of an only child or a firstborn."  Any reading that depicts prophecy of the second coming of Jesus Christ reminds me of my need to be ready since we don't know the day or hour of Christ's return (see Matthew 24:36) - we must be ready (see Matthew 24:44).  Being ready implies living our days like they are our last (see Psalm 90:12) - not letting up in our race towards Heaven (see Hebrews 12:1).  Such urgency also implies how we are to "snatch others from the fire" (see Jude 23).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of amazing grace and mercy that never ceases.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  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.     

Then the clans of Judah shall say to themselves, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the LORD of hosts, their God.’

Zechariah 12:2-9

Then the clans of Judah shall say to themselves, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the LORD of hosts, their God.’ Zechariah 12:5

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 12:2-9, which the commentary outlines as the second of three divisions for the text 12:1-13:1 (12:1, 12:2-9, 12:10-13:1).  Here, in a correction to my thought yesterday about how the wrath of God portrayed in this division is not referring to how Jerusalem is sacked in 70 AD, but instead is referring to the Battle of Armageddon or the final days as revealed in the book of Revelation.  The commentary emphasizes how the words "on that day" appear 6 times in Zechariah 12:2-9 and how they appear 16 times across chapters 12-14.  These words refer to the event to unfold as the Battle of Armageddon.  The battle is described by the commentary: "One day all of the enemies of God, led by the Antichrist, will come to wage war against Jerusalem, gathering for battle at Armageddon (Zechariah 14:1-3, Revelation 16:16; 19:19). The fight in the Valley of Armageddon is part of the battle. However, the battle is also going to be fought in the city of Jerusalem. “On that day,” then, refers to the time of the Battle of Armageddon, a day that will culminate in the second coming of Christ."  While each verse through v4 describe the how the battle unfolds, starting in v5 through v9 we see how God's people are saved.  The commentary encourages us to see how God's side always wins and how we should with reverent fear align our lives with that of God in preparation for end times.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, what an amazing God You are that You fight for me and save.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  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.     

The oracle of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus declares the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him[.]

Zechariah 12

The oracle of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus declares the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him[.] Zechariah 12:1

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 12:1, which the commentary outlines as the first of three divisions for the text 12:1-13:1 (12:1, 12:2-9, 12:10-13:1).  Here, the commentary portends the text in the second and third divisions as prophecy of Jesus' second coming, which interestingly enough is - per the commentary - prophesied more often in the Old Testament than the New Testament.  With v1, the commentary describes how the text serves as a "foundation for everything that God calls His people to be and do rests in the fact that God made us....He has the sovereign and absolute right to rule over us and even to judge us."  In the New Testament, Colossians 1:15-17 shares how God reigns in all things.  Revelation 20:12-15 shares how all will be judged according to their deeds and if we are not saved and in the book of life we will be eternally damned. We are encouraged to be reminded that we are accountable to God - and to live in reverent fear of Him - see also this post from John Piper here.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, what an amazing God You are that You saved me - You made and formed me, and You know everything about me, including my sin.  You saved me in spite of my sin and how I was hostile to You and an enemy of You.  Thank You Jesus for Your amazing grace.  I am not deserving.  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.

[God will] grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

2 Thessalonians 1

[God will] grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

I continue my pause of my study of both 1 Corinthians and of my study associated with my men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, I focus on 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 and DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion where John Piper explores and unpacks this text. The text explores the second coming of Jesus Christ and how on this day eternal damnation awaits those who spurn Him as their Lord and Savior.  Piper shares how this is not only a "terrifying prospect" for unbelievers, but this is also cause for believers to show compassion for "those who do not believe, or do not even know, the gospel" (see also Jude 22-23).  Piper then pivots how the text (v7) gives believers encouragement to "sustain us in all our afflictions" by "sustain[ing] us in all our afflictions."  He describes how the best part of this encouragement is v10 where believers "will see his glory, and marvel at it in such a way that he will be glorified in us for all the world to see."  Piper concludes with: "[w]e were made to marvel. Nothing and no one is more marvelous than the crucified, risen, returning King of glory, Jesus Christ. He will attain the destiny of his glory, and we will attain the destiny of our joy as we begin the perfect, sinless, never-ending marveling at the greatest marvel." 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord You are SO good that You provide a blessed hope and a peace that surpasses all understanding and You never leave or forsake me...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  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.  

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

 2 Thessalonians 2

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

I continue my pause on my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Today, my focus once again is 2 Thessalonians 2, and I lean on DesiringGod.com's Ask Pastor John feature where someone poses the question who is "Who is the Man of Lawlessness" discussed in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12. 

Piper attempts to avoid that which is less certain and focuses instead on what the text describes and is more certain: 

• man; "a human, not an angel, not a demon" (v3)
  
• quintessentially lawless, subject to no law or lawgiver/authority (v3)
  
• claims to be god, but opposed to all things God, and so the anti-christ (v4); see also 1 John 2:18
  
• quintessentially doomed (v3)
  
• not Satan but animated by, and in the service of Satan (v9)
  
• as a man he has supernatural power, albeit in service of great falsehood (v9)
  
• unparalleled in his ability to deceive (making unrighteousness a pleasure) (v10, 12)
  

Piper goes on to say that Paul's words here describe and unpack Jesus's prophecy from Matthew 24:10-13. Piper concludes by sharing that "I think some people try to get around this text by saying, 'Oh, there’ve been lots of men of lawlessness. They’ve cropped up in all kinds of seasons of history.' Well, that’s true, but it’s irrelevant because this man of lawlessness is going to be destroyed by the final fiery second coming."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good to me - I know that all I have is from You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  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.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

 2 Thessalonians 2

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I continue my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church - today I start with week 2 which looks at 2 Thessalonians 2 and the memory verse remains Titus 2:11-12. Here, Paul builds on his discussion of the second coming of Christ to describe how Satan plays a role now and during the second coming.  Paul seeks to encourage the Thessalonians by sharing glimpses of end times so that they will know it when it does come and not be frightening - as it will be frightening indeed for those who have spurned Christ.  In vv1-2 Paul warns the church of false teachers who claim that the second coming has already arrived.  Paul then shares in vv3-9 in more details how God is restraining Satan now but during the second coming, Satan will no longer be restrained as Christ prepares for battle when Satan will be destroyed forever. Vv10-12 serves as a strong warning for those who do not repent of their sins and surrender to Christ as their Lord and Savior.  In vv13-16 Paul offers tremendous encouragement to believers to stand firm waiting for the second coming.  Believers take heart and be encouraged!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a good, good God who comforts and encourages me in this life by sharing Your plan for the ultimate defeat of sin-forever.  Thank You for Your Word for giving me confidence about what awaits and for power and protection now to battle against sin.  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn 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.

(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)

Revelation 15-16

(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) Revelation 16:15 

I resumed my D-Group's study of Revelation using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide.  For this week, the study looks at Revelation 15-16.  For today, I focus on Revelation 16 and the seven bowls of God's wrath.  In between the sixth and seventh bowl, God pauses to warn believers to stay awake and be ready for when He returns.  We must not have lukewarm faith (see warning to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3) or be demonstrating any of the other the sins described in Revelation 2-3.  In light of how believers do not know when Jesus will return, scripture contains similar warnings to be ready.

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:36-44

‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:12-13

Such warnings are acts of mercy from a God that wants to save as many as possible - take heed! 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Thank You Jesus for mercy and grace - I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin continues and it 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.

 

...Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Hebrews 9

...Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on Jesus' second coming and how believers with authentic faith eagerly await this second coming. We are to - in Piper's words - simply "love him and believe in him — really believe in him, authentically."  In contrast, Piper seeks for us to avoid "a phony faith that wants only escape from hell, but has no desire for Christ. That kind of faith does not save. It does not produce an eager expectation for Christ to come. In fact, it would rather that Christ not come for as long as possible, so that it can have as much of this world as possible." Instead we are to pursue a "faith that really holds on to Christ as Savior and Lord and Treasure and hope and joy is the faith that makes us long for Christ to come. And that is the faith that saves. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - You are an awesome God that has given me faith - as a gift!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  My sin...worry and other sins, 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 win 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.

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.

Chapter 45: Pages 633-648

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. Romans 8:19-21

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) with Part 3 "The Nature and Extent of Providence", moving to Section 8 "Providence Over Christian Living" - moving to the final chapter - forty-five - "New Bodies, New World, Never-Ending Gladness in God".

Here, Piper places a capstone on the entire book (and the Bible) by describing "five climactic works of providence that grow out of the second coming of Jesus." These works are:

• We will see the Lord in the Greatness of His Glory > 2 Thessalonians 1:10
  
• We will be profoundly changed > 1 John 1:3:2
  
• We will experience everlasting, ever-increasing measures of pleasure > John 17:26, Ephesians 2:6-7
  
• The universe will be set free from bondage > 2 Peter 3:12-13, Romans 8:19-21
  

Finally, Piper states that we should not forget that in all of this - as is the case with everything - (see Colossians 1:16-18) - God will be supreme and central.  

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are amazing and again I am beyond grateful that You saved me and are saving a place for me in Heaven - which sounds amazing!  I am not deserving of the glorification that awaits me - my sin continues...daily, including worry and 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 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, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1-3

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:17-18

Day 356 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this morning I read 2 Peter. 

My commentary* notes: "[o]ne of the interesting aspects of Peter’s second letter is the prediction of his own imminent death. This seems to indicate that the letter is written very near the end of Peter’s life, perhaps after the death of Paul and possibly about A.D. 64. The letter is similar in content both to Jude’s letter, which warned against false teachers, and to Paul’s discussion of the second coming in his two letters to the Thessalonians. The error being taught by these false teachers presumably is in regard to the second coming. Evidently their teaching concerning the actual time of the Lord’s reappearance is leading some not only to a life of idleness (against which Paul had warned) but also to worldliness and immorality. It is exactly the same problem which the prophet Malachi addressed. When the promised Messiah did not appear soon after his coming was foretold, many Jews became cynical and turned away from God altogether. Here now, some five centuries later, some Christians who have not been blessed with an immediate second coming of the Messiah are also giving up and living lives un-befitting Christians.

"It is to this situation that Peter now addresses his own warnings. Peter begins his letter by stressing the importance of true spiritual knowledge. He warns his readers to beware of those who might pervert the gospel of Christ by teaching a counterfeit doctrine. Like Malachi, Peter concludes by clarifying once again that, although Christ has not reappeared as quickly as some have expected, both his coming and the judgment of man are as certain as God’s Word itself. The strong implication is that some of his readers ought to be thankful that the Lord has not yet come again, because if he had, they would not have been ready!"

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

Peter's words are both a warning and an encouragement as yes the Second Coming will arrive and it will be devastating for those who are not ready and have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord Savior.  But for those who are ready, Heaven awaits.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:10

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me hope and security beyond this world - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You seal me and preserve me.  My sin continues...including inaction in the areas where You want me to grow, worry, etc. 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.

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Revelation 20

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. v6

Session #11 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 20.  The title of the session is What Ultimately Matters Regarding the Millennium.

This chapter is widely disputed and is possibly THE most widely disputed in this book. There are many aspects of this the chapter where meaning and interpretation are difficult to discern - yet once again we should not miss the broader theme or core messages of this book.

Where we need to start today:  it is sanctifying to disagree about the millennium. Greats have all disagreed about these things and we should approach this chapter with humility.  It is sin to divide over the millennium.

Uncertainties about this chapter (additional perspectives by John Piper) and the millennium:

• are these passages arranged chronologically or cyclically?
• is the millennium before Christ's return or after; is it now/in the present or in the future?
• is the millennium 1000 years?
• will the millennium involve a spiritual resurrection of Christians to reign on earth or Heaven during the millennium?

For certain:

• Christ has come once and Satan has been bound/restrained; saints - you are not defeated! Satan could not stop Christ and cannot stop Christians (Revelation 12)
• We are IN the millennium; Christians who are alive now reign with Christ on earth; Satan cannot keep the church from proclaiming the gospel, and he cannot keep the nations from believing the gospel.
•  Christians who have died now reign with Christ in Heaven; they are worshiping God as priests while they rule with Christ as judge.
• Christ will come again, and Satan will be obliterated - Revelation 20; after the final period of revolt, there will be a final point of Satanic defeat.
• The return of Christ will usher in full and final judgment, once and for all.

What is absolutely clear in God's word forever:

• God is sovereign
• Satan is subordinate; he limited and bound, and doomed to be defeated
• Gospel will advance through the church
• Jesus will return for the church
• Every single will one of us will be judged by God - Revelation 12:12; two questions will be prevalent - (Book of Deeds and Book of Life ) (1) did we put our faith in Christ's work? (2) was their evidence (fruit) of faith in our work?  Were we faithful in our worship, witness? Did we fight against sin? Did we trust amidst suffering?  Two destinations await = either eternal torment OR everlasting joy with Him forever.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You reign - in the beginning, in the past, now, in the future and forevermore!  You died for me and all of humanity - after living a perfect sinless life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving.  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.

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Hebrews 9

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. v27-28

Here in Hebrews 9 we have a discussion of Christ's second coming.  We don't talk about this second coming much in church so I thought it would be useful to learn more about this.  I found the following John Piper posts useful.

What Is the Rapture?
Our Hope: The Appearing of Jesus Christ

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who came to save me - Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of salvation but You provide it anyway through amazing grace.  Again...thank You!  I am not deserving because of my sin, which I have daily...worry among 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 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.

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

Zechariah 14

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name. v9

Zechariah speaks of a day of the Lord that is coming.  Of course this is a prophecy of Jesus, and we must also remember that Jesus will come once again (Luke 17:22) after He dies on the cross, rises from the grave, and then rises into Heaven.  We must be ready and recognize when Jesus arrives in our lives - for He is here for us now - in this life.  Yet many ignore the invitation to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 

We must be ready.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You died on the cross and rose again for me - thank You Jesus for doing this and for giving me freedom from the sting of sin and death - the greatest gift of all time!  I am not worth such love.  I daily miss the mark.  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 Him.  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.