Old Testament reading: Isaiah 59-60

Isaiah 59:1-2 is one of the best known texts in the book: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Whenever life’s circumstances appear to indicate Divine abandonment, we should always take an inventory of our attitudes and actions to make sure that we are not the cause of our present difficulty. Many consistently live outside of the constraints of God’s word, yet want to throw up their hands and blame God when they have to suffer the consequences of their misdeeds. Isaiah reminds the people that God had not abandoned Israel, but that Israel had abandoned her God. The enumeration of her sins in verses 3-8 is quite telling in regard to Israel’s depravity. Yet, God would provide a Redeemer for Israel because she could not provide her own (vv 16-20). His breastplate of righteousness and helmet of salvation remind us of the Christian armor of Ephesians 6:14-17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8.

New Testament reading: Matthew 13-15

Beginning with the Parable of the Sower (which is actually about the soils more than the sower), Matthew 13 contains seven parables concerning the kingdom of heaven. The first four, (the Sower, the Wheat and Tares, the Mustard Seed, and the Leaven), represent the kingdom and its relationship to the world, whether in filling the world with truth or enduring alongside the sons of the devil. I believe the tares represent denominationalism. At first glance, the church and denominations appear to be most similar (v 26). However, as each grows, the difference between the two is evident to any honest and experienced observer (v 27). The Lord will remove these once and for all at the judgment, when those who practice lawlessness are taken away and cast into the eternal fire (vv 40-41, cf Matt 7:21-27). The next two parables (hidden treasure, pearl of great price) concern the value of the kingdom to those who are able to recognize and appreciate it. Truly one will sacrifice all that he has to be a partaker in the kingdom. The final parable (dragnet) concerns the final judgment, when what is good is kept and what is bad is discarded.

Old Testament reading: Isaiah 57-58

In Isaiah 57:7-13, Israel is likened unto an unfaithful wife. She had made her bed atop the lofty and high mountain where she had offered her sacrifice. The word bed here refers not to a place of rest, but pictures the conjugal privilege reserved for marriage (cf Heb 13:4). This is evident as the prophet pictures her as uncovering herself in the presence of another and witnessing the nakedness of her illicit and unholy lover. Israel was playing the adulteress against her true husband, the God of Heaven. God condemns her for her lies and failure to remember her true husband. Rather than rage and fight against her, God had remained silent in hopes that His bride would return (v 11), but now His patience was exhausted. He will now permit her to reap the wages of her iniquity and to call on her idols to deliver her from his wrath. They would call in vain as the wind would carry them all away (v 13). So it is with any idol in which we trust today. None will be able to deliver in the great day of God’s wrath.

New Testament reading: Matthew 10-12

Always last, always labeled. In Matthew 10:2-4 we find the first record of the twelve disciples whom Jesus named as apostles (messengers). In verse 4 we find listed last, “Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.” And so Judas was identified as the one who betrayed Jesus. The accounts in Mark 3:19 and Luke 6:16 also list Judas last and note that he was the one who betrayed Jesus. In a way, this shows the power of repentance and the tragedy of the lack thereof. In my opinion, Judas’ betrayal of the Lord was no worse than Peter’s repeated denials. The difference in these two men is seen in the condition of their hearts. Peter’s eyes met those of his Lord (Luke 22:60-61), and Peter remembered Jesus’ words and went out and wept bitterly (22:62). Judas saw that Jesus was condemned (Matt 27:3) and could have made a good start on repentance in that he recognized and  confessed that he had betrayed innocent blood and threw his ill gotten gain at the feet of the chief priests and elders. But he never repented (the KJV’s poor rendering in Matt 27:3 notwithstanding), and rather than face the consequences of his deeds, went out and killed himself. The apostles never got over Judas’ deed, yet Peter was restored and respected by all.

Old Testament reading: Isaiah 54-56

“For this is like the waters of Noah to Me” (Isa 54:9). I found this text particularly intriguing. As God became angry with the sinful world and destroyed the greater part of it with water, God had also become angry with sinful Israel and sent her off to destruction. BUT! As God preserved a remnant in Noah, AND promised not to destroy the world with water again, God also preserved a remnant in Israel and promised that His “covenant of peace” (which includes the blood of Jesus, the gospel and the church) shall not be removed. In Isaiah 55:3 we read of “the sure mercies of David.” This statement is explained in Acts 13:34, wherein Paul clarifies that this statement is a reference to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This is akin to Acts 2:30-32, wherein the statement that Christ would be raised up to sit on David’s throne (cf Ps 132:11) has nothing to do with an earthly reign in a physical kingdom, but rather refers to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

New Testament reading: Matthew 8-9

In preparation to preach the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus performed numerous miracles of healing (Matt 4:23-24). Following this discourse, Jesus began to travel with multitudes in tow. Matthew 8-9 contain a host of miracles wherein the Divine origin and authority of Jesus are on exhibition to the twelve as well as to the multitudes. The first is an interesting case wherein Jesus touched a leper and cleansed him. To the Jews, touching such an one would have made Jesus ceremonially unclean. However, I have not found the Old Testament passage which so instructs (cf Lev 13-14). In any event, the compassion of Jesus was on full display in this simplest of acts. This man had likely gone some time without any kind of physical human contact. Concerning His Divinity, Jesus also exercised His authority in the healing of the Centurion’s servant, not being present with him when he was healed (8:5-13). He cast out demons with His word (8:16), commanded the winds and the sea (8:23-27), and raised the dead (9;18-26). Jesus was indeed God in the flesh, “God with us” (Matt 1:23), exercising authority over all things.

Old Testament reading: Isaiah 51-53

Isaiah continues his presentation of Israel’s Redeemer, culminating with the well known Suffering Servant and Lamb of God in chapter 53. The Lord encourages His people to lift their eyes to the heavens and look down on the earth beneath, for all that the eye can see will come to naught while His salvation would be forever and His righteousness shall never be abolished (51:6). In 51:12-13 we see a familiar refrain that is better known from Matthew 10:28, i.e., ‘Do not fear man who is finite in his existence, but rather fear the Creator of all the earth, before whose fury no man can stand.’ Isaiah 52:7 should sound familiar as well, for Paul quoted this text in Romans 10:15 in declaring the good news of the gospel age. We would be remiss if we did not pay some attention to Isaiah 53. This classic text actually begins in Isaiah 52:13 with the introduction of “My Servant.” Seven times in Isaiah 53:4-6 we find the death of Jesus directly linked to our sins. Of note in verse 4 is how Jesus is said to have been “smitten by God.” We see here how God made Jesus to be the sacrifice for our sins (cf 2 Cor 5:21). We are also reminded that forgiveness of sins takes place in the mind of God, not in a baptistery or any outward acts of obedience. But it is only through obedience to God’s commands that we can receive that forgiveness (Acts 2:38).

New Testament reading: Matthew 5-7

What if Jesus really meant what He said? Some years ago, a host of billboards popped up across the United States with some reminders from “God.” The one I best remember was: “That ‘Love Thy Neighbor’ thing… I meant that. – God.” The Sermon on the Mount is filled with numerous direct statements dealing directly with the hearts and actions of men toward their fellow man. Not only must we love our neighbors, we are commanded to love our enemies (5:44), bless those who curse us, do go to those who hate us, and pray for those who persecute us, for in so doing we imitate our heavenly Father (5:45-48). This hard saying comes on the heels of ‘turn the other cheek’ and ‘go the second mile.’ Such runs totally counter to the internal impulses of most. The ability to accomplish this comes only with great care and consideration given to our hearts.

Old Testament reading: Isaiah 49-50

There are three obvious Messianic references in today’s reading, all of them noteworthy, but one is often overlooked. The first is in Isaiah 49:6 we see Israel pictured as “a light to the Gentiles.” Simeon quoted this verse when Joseph and Mary presented Jesus in the temple in Luke 2:52. The second is found immediately following, in verses 7-8. Speaking of “Him whom man despises” (cf Isa 53:3), and “Him, whom the nation abhors,” this one would be the object of the respect of kings and the worship of princes. Continuing, Isaiah speaks of “an acceptable time” and “the day of salvation.” This text is quoted by Paul in Corinthians 6:2 as he pleads with those brethren that they may not “receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor 6:1). This verse is often cited concerning the urgency of the invitation offered at the end of a sermon. However, the context teaches us that the time of acceptance and the day of salvation refer to the gospel age, the Christian dispensation. Finally, In Isaiah 50:6, we find a prophecy concerning the suffering of Jesus: “I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide my face from shame and spitting.” We are familiar with the first and last part of this verse, as these indignities are recorded in the New Testament. Though the plucking of Jesus’ beard is not recorded in the New Testament, it nonetheless was a reality in the life of our Lord.

New Testament reading: Matthew 1-4

Even the Lamb of God had some “black sheep” in His family tree. We should never allow our ancestry to hinder us from being what God intends us to be. Both sides of my family had a long history in my hometown. At the beginning of each year of junior high and high school, I knew how my year would go with each teacher based upon the family member with whom I was associated. A year could be good or bad based on my family history. Sometimes, I started the year “behind the eight ball” before I ever had a chance to prove myself. A little study into the lives of many of Jesus’ ancestors will reveal some rather unsavory characters. As Jesus should not be judged based in his ancestry, so also should we let each man stand (or fall) on his own merit.

Old Testament reading: Isaiah 46-48

Isaiah 46 continues by contrasting the futility of idols with the true love and power of God. Verses 1-2 speak of the great burdens borne by beasts as they carried Israel’s idols into captivity. Again, Israel was so blind so as not to see her own foolishness and disgrace. Israel’s gods were unable to prevent her from going into captivity, but rather than abandon them and turn to the true God of heaven, she chose to carry her idols into captivity! Through Isaiah, Jehovah pleads with His people to remember that it was He who had brought them forth and upheld them through the years, from the womb until old age. Jehovah now pleads, ‘I have made you; I will lift you up! Let me carry you and deliver you!’ He calls on Israel to forsake the gods of their own hands who must be carried on their shoulders and set in place, gods who cannot hear the desperate cries of their devotees, gods who cannot deliver Israel from her enemies. We must be reminded that no matter how far we may wander or run from God, He still loves us and desires our love and devotion. He wants to carry our burdens and deliver us from our enemies. Why should I ever fail to seek such a One who loves me so?

New Testament reading: Revelation 19-22

After today’s reading, you will have read the New Testament three times! Well done! Twice today we find John trying to worship an angel, and twice we see the angel rebuke John saying, “Worship God.”  I also love Revelation 19:10, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” This may be understood in two senses. First, it may be considered that Jesus was the driving force behind the work of the prophets. Second, it may be understood that Jesus is the primary subject of the prophets’ work. I tend toward the view of the latter. Consider the words of Peter in Acts 3, as he identified Jesus to be the subject of all of God’s holy prophets “since the world began” (v 21). Peter also identified Jesus as the prophet like Moses who would come in God’s name (Deut 18:15-19). Finally, Peter concluded with, “Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days” (Acts 3:24). Biblical history and much of man’s secular history are truly “His story.”

Old Testament reading: Isaiah 44-45

Are we really any less foolish than they? Isaiah 44 is one of my all time favorite Old Testament texts. It really cuts to the heart of the folly of idolatry by simply describing the means by which idols are made. In Isaiah 44:9-11, the prophet declares the idolater as being blind and ignorant  to his own foolishness, else he would be ashamed of his absurd doings. The prophet begins in verse 12, not with the creation of an idol of iron, but with the blacksmith creating the axe wherewith the craftsman will cut down the tree to make the idol (vv 13-14). Then comes the decision to be made by the craftsman… ‘What part of this tree will I use for fire to warm myself and make my bread, and what part will I use to make my god?’ After the determination is made, he falls down before the god of his own hands, prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!” Adding irony to ignorance, it should not go unnoticed that the part of the tree that was burned actually provided more help to the man than the part he fashioned into an idol. As Isaiah notes, no one pauses long enough to consider the utter stupidity of this whole scene (vv 19-20).

New Testament reading: Revelation 16-18

“Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean bird!” (Rev 18:2). When one visits Rome today, he stands in awe outside the Colosseum, taking in the magnificence of the structure. Upon entering the Colosseum, he sees the the floor filled with small passageways and rooms, as the poor and dregs of Roman society took refuge there after Rome’s fall in 476. The Colloseum, which once stood as a representation of Roman opulence and intellect, was reduced to a haunt for every foul spirit and unclean bird. We should remember that the text does not here speak of the Colosseum, as it was not constructed until near the end of the first century. However, the city at that time stood as the center of all the world’s trade and culture. She was rich and made rich those who conducted their business within her walls (18:3). While financially secure, Rome was morally bankrupt. This would be her ultimate undoing and ruin (18:4-8).

Old Testament reading: Isaiah 42-43

Isaiah 42 is a distinctly Messianic text. After declaring the coming consolation and help of the Lord, the One through whom these things shall come is introduced in verses 1-7. That this text belongs to the Christ and not to Cyrus, (as some have speculated), is evident from Matthew 12:18-21. Matthew quotes Isaiah 42:1-3 verbatim and applies the text to the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth. Matthew’s statement in verse 21, “And in His name shall the Gentiles trust,” is actually a commentary or explanation of Isaiah’s words in verse 4, “and the coastlands shall wait for His law.” Consider the greatness of Jesus in Isaiah 42:1-4. He was able to accomplish and finish His work apart from the normal means of man. He did not shout in the streets until He was heard by all (v 2). Neither did He accomplish His goals by force or coercion (v 3). “A bruised reed” was symbolic of great weakness, thus Jesus accomplished His mission without harming even the weakest among the people. I am in awe of the love, gentleness, careful consideration and compassion of our Lord!

New Testament reading: Revelation 12-15

Will only 144,000 people make it to heaven? According to our Jehovah Witness neighbors, yes. This is a doctrine peculiar to the Watchtower Society and its people known as Jehovah’s Witnesses. These 144,000 are first mentioned in chapter 7, and appear again in Revelation 14 as standing on Mount Zion with the Lamb (v 1). One difficulty with interpreting this number literally is that all those who comprise this group are Jews, members of some specific tribe of Israel. For some reason, Dan is not among those represented, though he was one of Jacob’s twelve sons. Also of interest is the inclusion of Joseph’s son Manasseh, but not his son Ephraim. These two were presented to Jacob for blessing, and Jacob blessed Ephraim above Manasseh, despite the fact that Manasseh was firstborn (cf Gen 48). So why is Manasseh blessed here and not Ephraim? Also, if only 144,000 are granted access to heaven, all Gentiles are also excluded from heaven. A literal translation of this number creates too many insurmountable problems. The 144,000 is a representation of all the saved of all the ages, both of physical Israel and spiritual Israel (the church).

Old Testament reading: Isaiah 40-41

Isaiah 40 contains many well known passages. Probably the best known among religionists in general is verse 31 – “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” I doubt most have ever considered the actual meaning of the text. This verse is set in contrast to the one previous, wherein the youth and young men cannot sustain themselves or their strength. In contrast, those who wait on (i.e., put their trust in) the Lord will be sustained by Him in all things. The reference to mounting up with wings like eagles is generally understood to be the eagle’s long life span and his ability to molt late in life, thus having the strength of his youth “renewed.” As we grow older, our faith in God should not diminish over time, but rather be strengthened. Consider Simeon in Luke 2:25-35, who was “waiting on the Consolation of Israel.” When he died, his faith in God was stronger than it had ever been. The longer we live in faithfulness to God, the more we see His hand of provision and care in the lives of His children. Another well known text in Isaiah 40 is the prophecy of the coming of John the Baptizer, “the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (v 3, cf Mark 1:1-4). But my favorite passage in Isaiah 40 is verse 12 and the rhetorical inquiries regarding the magnitude of our God – “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?” Answer? No one but God! I am especially moved by the fact that God can measure the heavens in a span, the distance between His thumb and little finger with an open hand. Truly we can sing “How Great Thou Art!” Finally, we see the incomprehensible and unsurpassed wisdom of God in Isaiah 40:13-14 – “Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding?” I find it interesting how modern day infidels would presume to instruct believers in what is good and just, especially since they have no objective authority or foundation for their diatribes against God and the way of righteousness!

New Testament reading: Revelation 8-11

Revelation 11 contains an intriguing text concerning Jehovah’s two witnesses. I know I said earlier not to get bogged down in the minutiae of the book’s symbolism, but I thought it might be proper to give some information on these two characters, given their obvious importance in the text. Unfortunately, there is little agreement among the scholars concerning the identity of the two witnesses. From the text (Rev 11:1-6), we must note that these witnesses are identified with two lampstands and two olive trees.  In Zechariah 4:1-6, there are two olive trees mentioned, one on each side of a solid gold lampstand.  In this context, the lampstand and the olive trees represent the word of the Lord (Zech 4:6). Getting back to Revelation 11:1-6 – The two witnesses are said to be two lampstands and two olive trees. So, we should probably associate these two witnesses as proclaimers of God’s truth. There are a number of possibilities as to whom or what these represent:

1. They could represent Christ and the apostles. Jesus came to speak the word of God (John 12:49), and the apostles continued until the whole of Scripture was revealed.

2. They could represent Christ and the church, for it is through the church that the manifold wisdom of God is made known (Eph 3:9-11).

3. They could represent the two testaments, God’s truth for man in two dispensations (I find this representation unconvincing).

4. Verse 5 says that whoever opposes the witnesses shall be destroyed. Looking at verse 6, we have a reference to the two witnesses as having power to shut up the windows of heaven and turn water to blood. These are clear references to Elijah and Moses.  Those who resisted Moses were swallowed up by the earth and consumed by fire (Numbers 16:1-35), and those who opposed Elijah were swallowed up by fire (1 Kings 1:8-14).

Perhaps the idea is that these persecuted Christians could take solace in the power of God and the deliverance he ultimately provides to those who believe and obey the truth despite persecution (Heb 10:31-39).

Old Testament reading: Isaiah 37-39

Isaiah 37-39 concludes the historical narrative begun in chapter 36 concerning Hezekiah and his encounter with Sennacherib, king of Assyria. This account appears almost verbatim in 2 Kings 18-20. Sennacherib sends his representative, the Rabshakeh, to discourage Judah from resisting Assyria’s military advances. His discourse is not unlike many of the misrepresentations made by modern denominationalism today. Consider – the Rabshakeh: misrepresented God’s true religion (Isa 36:7); equated numbers with strength (36:8); lied about being guided by the Lord (36:10); lied about what he had to offer his hearers (36:16-17); made false comparisons concerning the true God of heaven (36:19-22). In Isaiah 37, the Rabshakeh makes a last ditch effort to persuade Hezekiah and Judah to acquiesce, but God sends Isaiah with a message of hope and deliverance. Isaiah 38 contains a statement often used today, but most do not realize its biblical origin – “Set your house in order” (v 1). Finally, in Isaiah 39, Hezekiah is asked a question we all should consider – “What have they seen in your house?” What would people see if they could see in my house? Would they see a place of peace where God is exalted in all that is said, done, and watched (TV and movies)? Where God is concerned, we all live in glass houses!

New Testament reading: Revelation 4-7

In Revelation 4-5 are five exaltations of God and the Lamb: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” (4:8); “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power…” (4:11); “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals…” (5:9-10); “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom…” (5:12); “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, forever and ever” (5:13). These are noteworthy, especially in light of the texts which follow. Chapter Six begins the disturbing accounts of the troubles the world will soon face, troubles that might discourage the brethren to the point of giving up. John assures them of the power and authority of God over all things to establish their hearts and minds in preparation for the troubles to come.