A Plan for the New Year

These reading notes have come out of a deep longing the Lord has given me to find a way to make disciples that is natural to all of us as we follow Jesus in the harvest. The reading notes are not the "way," they are only a tool. The natural way to grow as disciples must be the Word of God. The notes are not necessary. The Word is necessary. The notes were written to give a disciple some help, or motivation to keep reading the Bible.

This longing has come from the Lord through many experiences, so I can't take any credit for the desire. He put it there and it has come at a price, but I thank Him for that. Then, when the Lord presented the idea of doing this last year my heart took to it, but with some fear and the knowledge that I've never done anything like this. I couldn't imagine being able to write like this for a year. By His grace, this has been an amazing year and like no other year I have ever experienced. God provided and allowed for my being able to write the notes. There is no way I could have done this. The Lord graciously showed us, every day that this was His project. Therefore, only He can receive any thanks or praise. We are still trying to sort out what we have learned of the Lord this year. Laura and I memorized Psalm 40:1-10 and the verse I thought of last night as I finished writing December 31 was verse 5, "You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told."

Laura and I have known that God is great and loving, and that His Word is true. In a way we could never have imagined, we have actually tasted that. In the trials and challenges and being totally dependent on Him, we've learned something of His faithfulness to His promises. Trust means something different now. Laura and I have looked to the Lord each day not knowing what to do but to trust and to go on without any understanding of how the Lord would care for us. And the Lord did it. He was true and faithful, leading us on a totally strange path through a very unusual desert. I have to thank the Lord for such a great friend like Laura to "share" this with. The reading notes make much more sense because she read and edited them. But for both of us, our testimony of what we seem to have just begun to learn, is that if we let our expectations die and simply go with what God allows, we can trust God fully as we follow our Lord in the harvest. The key is following our Lord.

For this next year, I would suggest the following.

Keep reading your Bible. Keep Jesus' Word. Keep reaching out to your neighbors and co-workers.

Ask the Lord for 2-3 people who will commit to reading a One-Year Bible everyday and meeting together for the next year for an hour a week. As you meet together I'd recommend you only talk about the reading for the previous day or that day (depending on the time of day you meet.) The reading notes are not required. They are easy to find on the blog site and they are a kind of "light" commentary if someone needs help or motivation.

As the leader of the group don't worry about being the "teacher." It is enough if people are getting together and they are in the Word. You can trust the Holy Spirit working in the Word to be working in their hearts. You can read the reading notes to help yourself become an "approved" workman. It will help you grow and give the others some direction.

The other elements of the group that are necessary is regularly meeting together, and them making some effort to reach out to neighbors or co-workers. If we are not in the harvest, we cannot grow in Christ.

The reading notes will remain on the blog and are yours to use. Over the next year I will be editing them for consistency. If I make any significant changes, I'll repost them.

May the Lord bless you as you grow as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest, making disciples who make disciples, who make disciples, who make disciples.

In Christ,

Dan Kachikis

December 31, Reading Notes

Malachi 3-4

This generation of Jews had a very muddled history. Part of their history was miraculous privilege and the other part was tragic judgment. Yet they were still God's people, chosen to make His redemptive plan known to the world. They should have been impressed with the astounding manner in which God had bent and moved the nations to protect Israel in exile and to restore them to their land. Instead it was all so wearisome and so vague. There was this hope, but they didn't want to fully commit themselves to God. They thought a little following would work, but it only made matters worse. (This sounds like a lot of people today in the church.) This would also be a picture of the Jews before Jesus arrived. In a way, it is a picture of all of mankind. We have a vague sense we should seek God, but we want His blessing on our terms at whatever level of interest we're willing to give Him. He should just be happy with what He gets. Who does He think He is anyway? :)

Malachi 3

Vs. 1-5 So God will send messengers to prepare the people.

V. 1 There are two messengers here. John the Baptist is the first and "the messenger of the covenant" was Jesus. We know what happened with John and Jesus. In fact, tomorrow you get to begin reading the gospels.

V. 2-5 Suddenly God warns them of His coming. We saw that in Amos 5:18, that a person shouldn't wish lightly for the day of the Lord. The result will be that Judah will be cleansed, but it will be through the fire. I think this is captured in Jesus telling the multitudes that if they are walking with their accuser on the way to the court, to try to settle on the way. If it goes to judgment, they will have to pay every copper. The idea for that generation and each individual was, "Now is the time. Don't wait until the day of the Lord."

Vs. 6-12 The point of this section takes a little thought. It is not that God is interested in tithing, but the lack of tithing did reveal a lack of spiritual understanding.

V. 6 Just as God has always done, He will continue to spare them because of His covenant.

V. 7 So what do the statues have to do with returning to God and paying the tithes? Remember in Nehemiah that Nehemiah set everything in order. The priest and the Levites were all in Jerusalem working and the people were bringing the tithes. Nehemiah left for a time and when he returned (Neh. 13:6) the Levites were scattered back to their farms. The people stopped bringing the tithes.

I can imagine the people saying, "Hey, the times are hard. Why should I tithe to support a bunch of people sitting around doing nothing?" The thing is, God had appointed the priests and Levites to be teachers of the people. How would the people learn the statutes and the Word (and of God Himself) if the Levites weren't there? That is the point here. A spiritually perceptive person would have seen that his own spiritual welfare and the spiritual welfare of his family and nation was dependent on the ministry of the priests and Levites. And the priests and Levites were supported by the tithes. Tithing tested the hearts of the people. They failed. When the people held back, God held back and not only did the economy suffer, but so did their spiritual wellbeing.

V. 12 Israel was to have been a witness and a blessing to the nations because of God's blessing to them as they followed. In Isaiah 55 God says that they will be a blessing during the Millennium.

Vs. 13-15 I have met Christians who basically have this attitude. A little following and trust, mixed with a major portion of living your life the way you want, only brings bitter disappointment.

Vs. 16-18 Some people did respond and God promises to acknowledge these people on the day of resurrection. God's acknowledgement of them will add to the judgment of all those who didn't respond. It might also be that in the time of Malachi, God chose to bless those who truly repented, and did this in a visible way.

Malachi 4

These are God's final words in the Old Testament, then come 400 silent years. And tomorrow, for us, we read about the coming of the Savior and His herald.

V. 1 This not only sounds like the judgment at the end of the tribulation, but John the Baptist told the leaders and people that the axe was laid to the root of the trees and that burning would accompany ignoring the message. Luke 3:16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." 18 So, with many other exhortations, he preached good news to the people.

Vs. 2-3 This really sounds like the fighting in Jerusalem just as Jesus returns. The "sun of righteousness" only appears here and it was used by Charles Wesley in Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Since it is spelled "sun" and not "son," the meaning has to do with a coming day that will dawn on mankind. Oddly enough, there is a mention to that in Luke 1:76-79, (Zechariah the father of John the Baptist is speaking) "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, when the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Jesus is that Light.

Vs. 5-6 So, is this John the Baptist? Jesus said that John fulfilled this ministry. Jesus said in Matthew 17:12, "but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased." Yet there is enough ambiguity in what Jesus says to suggest that Elijah really will come during the tribulation and be one of those two witnesses.

These are the final words of the Old Testament. God wanted to make His point. In His love and compassion there is the warning of judgment. It would be unloving to withhold a valid warning. As disciples we can't afford to be unloving. Tomorrow we begin again in the good news. As we work in the harvest we carry the burden of knowing how important God's message truly is. It is worth it, now on earth, to forsake all else for the surpassing worth of following our Savior, knowing Him, knowing His closeness as we labor reaching the lost and making disciples. As those who have been saved to serve our Savior, we work until He calls us to rest and to witness the beginning of that coming day when life really begins as God meant it to be.

Revelation 22

Vs. 1-5 This scene is reminiscent of the Millennial Kingdom, but different. Some of this looks like a glorious memorial of salvation. The water of life goes through the city, not to the Dead Sea. I'll bet there is no more "Dead Sea." We have no idea of what life will be like then, but will we need water of life? Will there be new life that will be born and then will these people be led to that water? Who knows? The leaves "were" previously for the healing of nations. Now they are for something else. Maybe they are just a remembrance of our salvation and healing.

V. 4 We will see His face and belong to Him, therefore the name.

V. 5 "Reign" is either a hint to other activities or a word that denotes a place of being secure. For example, after all of David's trials, he finally reigned. He came to a place of having the promise of God fulfilled.

Vs. 6-7 These are words of confirmation that this will take place, and when it begins it will happen quickly. Jesus told His disciples in Luke 12:40, "You also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."

So what does it mean to "keep" these words? Jesus talked often about keeping His Word. I don't think it meant just obedience, but rather maintaining the mindset of what He was saying. For most Christians, obedience to Jesus means staying out of trouble. Obedience means not stepping out of bounds. I think this misses Jesus' heart completely. I think what Jesus meant by "keep" is expressed in what He said to his disciples in Luke 12:35-36, "Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks." I think that is "keeping" his commandments. It is allowing His words to possess our hearts and our actions in this life. In that sense, following in the harvest is "keeping" His Word.

Vs. 8-9 John again is overcome. Notice again the word "keep."

Vs. 10-11 John is supposed to publish this vision. Life will continue as it has on the earth, but another testimony has been added to what is available for men to consider and to help them make their choice.

Vs. 12-16 This is the final written personal appeal of the Savior and King to mankind.

V. 17 This is the call of the Spirit and the Bride (the church) to an unbelieving world to come. We are back to the beginning. Remember, this revelation was written to seven churches. The reason for the Spirit and the church calling is that the Spirit is the one who makes the appeal through those He indwells. Us! Notice again as in Rev. 21:6 and Isaiah 55, the appeal to those who are thirsty.

Vs. 18-19 These are Jesus' words. Just as the Old Testament ends with a warning, so does the New Testament. These are solemn words. The stakes are eternal and the Savior, Judge and King has spoken. Let the earth take heed.

V. 20 This is Jesus again with John's "Amen" at the end.

V. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The capstone to this earthy history of lost and tragic humanity. Darkness beyond imagination was pierced by His life, His light and His grace.

Paul, the disciple and disciple maker, said to Timothy in those dark days before he died at the hands of the Romans, working in the harvest, "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is our strength as we follow Him in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples, who make disciples, until our Lord returns. Amen.

Ephesians 2:4-10 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God -- not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Psalm 150

What a fitting end to the year and to all of our reading about the Lord's return. Praise the Lord.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJXaFB-v0gQ&feature=related

Proverbs 31:25-31

Again, I don't think this is super woman. I know if this was written to men, I'd read it and not feel too good about myself. I don't think that is God's intent. Verse 30 is what I would focus on. Proverbs began with the fear of the Lord being the beginning of wisdom and it ends with the fear of the Lord leading to a fulfilled life and service to those closest to us. Amen.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

December 30, Reading Notes

Malachi 1-2

After all of the heavenly visions, we are back to reality on the dark planet. After Zechariah and Haggai wrote, Ezra arrived to lead the people into the Word and then Nehemiah arrived and helped rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah helped repopulate the city and set the Levitical order of worship into operation. The end of Nehemiah shows that even with a godly governor, the people hardly obeyed. Malachi probably wrote after Nehemiah was gone. The word for governor is Persian, suggesting that whoever was running Jerusalem now was Persian. The temple service was running; in fact, it was now running so routinely it became corrupted.

Malachi's name means "messenger." Malachi's will be the last words God speaks to Israel until the events just before the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus. God did a clever job of wording this book through Malachi. God has Malachi listen to the people and record their gripes against God. As Malachi answers these, he turns the answer against the people to reveal their very distant hearts. They were going through the motions of religion with no real love for God. This is always a danger. Our problem with God is actually the result of being lukewarm toward Him. To follow God closely shows us His heart. To be religious only leads to confusion, because religion serves us and our expectations. These people were disappointed with God, but as God will show them, they had no real idea of who He was and they misunderstood what would lead to blessing.

Malachi 1

This is a great chapter and could be preached or taught for weeks. We only get one day.

Vs. 1-5 This is the most important part of Malachi. If you miss this you will not fully understand why the rest of these problems grew up in the lives of the people. Everything we'll read in Malachi stems from this problem. I'm going to give you the basics very quickly. If you want a more in-depth look at this, follow the link and find the third message that says "Daniel 13." When I preach Daniel, I always conclude the series with these verses in Malachi. https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/messages

Both Jacob and Esau represent countries, countries taken into exile. Only Israel returned. That showed God's love. Now to understand all that God did to get them back into the land, you need to go back to the "born again" Manasseh returning to Israel, influencing Josiah, who influenced four families, who raised four sons, who God used to save the nation in Babylon. That is the book of Daniel. The people missed all of this amazing and mighty love.

V. 5 Especially when you read some of the things Nebuchadnezzar and Darius the Mede said and did, God received more honor outside of Israel than within it.

Vs. 6-14 This lack of understanding God's care and love led the priests to dishonor God and to allow the people to dishonor God. If times are tough, God will understand if you bring Him lame and blind sacrifices, right? Any sacrifice is better than no sacrifice, right? But here is the thing, if they had grasped God's love for them, they would have been willing to give Him the offerings He required. The offerings were a test of their hearts, of their faith and trust in God. All this proved they had no real trust or love for God. They were just religious, just punching the clock, just doing what they needed to do to be good religious people in their own eyes.

V. 8 They wouldn't have done this to their governor, but since their religion was routine, the invisible God was as good as not being there. And besides, anything is OK with God, right?

V. 10 You have to ask yourself why the priests kept accepting these sacrifices and why they didn't shut the door. Imagine if a pastor did this on Sunday morning, blocking the door with his body, saying, "Hey, we're not taking this seriously." Soon he'd get no pay check. Guess where the priest got their food and their livelihood? That's right, they received their food from the sacrifices and their money from the offerings of the people. Who were the priest really serving and trusting?

Twice God reminds the priests of His majesty in verses 11 and 14.

Vs. 12-13 The priests themselves were bemoaning the fact that the people were so sinful and bringing awful offerings. But hey, something is better than nothing, right? And besides, they had to eat.

V. 14 They were allowing the people to bring a curse upon themselves. That betrayed the entire point of the priesthood, simply so they could eat.

Malachi 2

Vs. 1-3 So God will turn the curse of the people onto the priests too. In fact, as we'll see, the curse had already begun. Remember in Haggai how God said the people were working in the fields and hardly bringing anything in? That was the curse. It happened there and it was happening now. Ironically, the more people held back from God because the times were tough, the tougher God made the times.

Since the priests were allowing the feasts and sacrifices so they could get food and further their livelihood, God would smear their faces in their sacrifices. Note, that in 1 Samuel, Eli also didn't stop his sons from desecrating the tabernacle. The reason for that was that Eli was happy to be well fed. Fear for our livelihood in the ministry makes us worthless shepherds. But can a disciple really believe that stuff Jesus said about not being anxious about our food and clothing? That's really up to each of us. It's a matter of trust.

Vs. 4-9 This covenant was really the covenant God made with Phinehas in Numbers 25:6-13. Phinehas saw the connection between the plague burning in the camp and this one guy who was walking into his tent with a foreign woman, a cult prostitute for Baal. While everyone else stood frozen, he grabbed a spear, ran like crazy through the camp and killed the couple. Immediately the plague stopped. The priests should have been this brave and passionate for God and the welfare of the people.

Through Phinehas' ministry alongside Joshua, the people were taught to obey and honor God and this was the godliest generation of Israel. Phinehas was a hero and a model of what being a priest meant. God would punish these priests for leading the people astray.

Vs. 10-17 This section has a couple of sub-categories, but generally it all has to do with marriage. Looking at Genesis, first came the fall from God, and then the relationship between Adam and Eve crashed. They are connected. The same can be seen in Romans 1:18-27. First the relationship with God was lost, and then the relationship between man and woman.

Vs. 10-12 Since God is their Father, how could the men marry women who worshiped false gods? But once you have lost your love for God, your faith and trust in Him and you've defined Him as a good-ol'-boy who accepts anything, anything is possible. Throughout Ezra and Nehemiah this problem is mentioned often.

Vs. 13-14 Yet the people wept because things were not going well economically and God didn't listen. Why? Because they were faithless toward their wives. They were breaking covenant with God which opened the door to men breaking covenant with their wives.

Vs. 15-16 God's plan was for godly men and women to raise godly kids. It is all one wonderful plan. When Ruth went to Boaz, she asked him to cover her with his garment. This was her asking for protection and care. For these men to divorce their wives was to pull away that garment in violence, forcing their wives (as Jesus said) to become adulteresses when they remarried. All of this is why God hates divorce. God covers us with His love and garment of care. How dare us to commit to protect and care for someone in the covenant of marriage and then withdraw that care. He doesn't like that. He makes allowance for the sin of man, but He still expresses His anger toward those who make this necessary.

V. 17 And all of this disobedience brings a darkness and bitterness of heart causing us to actually become bitter with God. Israel could look at its neighbors and say, "Hey, they don't have to do any of this stuff or worry about this and they are doing OK. This is totally unfair. This following God stuff doesn't make sense." But I was reading Jesus saying this morning, "And everyone to whom much is given, will much be required." The privilege of knowing God, requires we act like it. And as every parent has told their kids, "I don't care what they do in Joe's family. You are in our family and these are our rules." Jesus also said, "and to whom men entrust much, they demand the more."

Especially with all we have read about the second coming of Christ, for us as disciples following in the harvest, our only responsibility before God is to love Him and to trust and obey. The more we give to Christ in following Him, the more we get of Him. Here's a happy version of the old hymn trust and obey. It says it all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh0FOoXd_C0

Revelation 21

V. 1 Now it is time for the new heavens and new earth. The heavens means that area above the earth, not heaven as in God's abode. In the judgments, there is some mention of the powers of the heavens being shaken and stars falling, etc. It could be that God did away with galaxies. Notice that this is not an extreme makeover. The old ones were done away with. These are completely new. This is a reference to Genesis 1:1. The one thing to think about is that this earth might have very little similarity to our earth. Obviously there won't be any oceans or seas, but also, there won't be a need for oxygen, heat or gravity. Will the earth even need to spin if gravity isn't necessary? The earth the Lord makes could be a thousand times bigger and have very different "physical laws," if in fact, "physical laws" are even necessary.

V. 2 The new Jerusalem could be the place Jesus said he was preparing back in John 14:2-3. There are some people who think this city is orbiting the earth during the Millennial Kingdom and is inhabited by those who are resurrected. They may work on earth, but they'll live there. For those people the commute will be very quick. It's all speculation, but I thought it was funny. Notice that in this case, the city is the bride, not the church.

Vs. 3-4 God will be present and every aspect of hurt, regret or sorrow from our former lives on earth will be healed. Vietnam vets won't dive under tables every time they hear a loud sound and children won't duck every time someone raises their hand quickly. All the emotional trauma of divorce and betrayal, the pang of every act of violence done will be removed. Loneliness and sorrow will be forgotten. We'll all be totally healed.

Vs. 5-8 This is the Lord making an offer, through John, to everyone reading this who has not made a decision to follow Christ. Notice the allusion in verse six to Isaiah 55:1 and John 7:37. It reminds me again, that in the harvest, if they are not thirsty, they will not come. My job is to ask if they're thirsty and to tell them where the water is.

Vs. 9-14 Note that the Bride is the city. Note also that the names of the tribes of Israel and the names of the twelve apostles are a part of the city. So, who is the twelfth apostle? It is either the guy they chose in Acts 1:26, Matthias, or if God, as He often does, goes around our choices, it could be Paul. If it isn't Paul, I know he won't mind.

Vs. 15-21 The description here defies anything that could be built on this earth. This leads me to believe that the size of that earth and the physical laws, if any, won't be anything like this earth. In verse 16 we could understand a city wall being 1400 miles long, but not 1400 miles high. Being spiritual with spiritual bodies will be so completely different that it will defy our imaginations. Physical laws will be irrelevant. Science and technology as we know it will be unnecessary. There will be no "falling" or weight. Travel will be "instant arrival," and communication will be intuitive. The necessity for a spinning earth or space will be gone. The part I like is that we'll eat and not get fat! The point is that there is no reason to doubt these dimensions since so many things will be completely different.

Vs. 22-27 We have hints in the Bible about life after this earth history. There are heavenly rewards and there will be some similarities with life now. Life will be perfect as it was meant to be, but there will still be life and activity. There will be music, there will be love, there will be fun, there will be beauty, there will be eating. This description shows there will be no temple because we'll have access to the triune God Himself. Jesus will supply the light.

V. 26 There will be nations, that means there will be some organization of people.

V. 27 Obviously, there will be no sin or bad stuff. The proof is that the only inpatients of this eternal existence will be those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

And then finally, what God intended life to be, will begin. And knowing God, it will be a zillion times better than the best we've ever experienced here. This is the bad dream. His redeemed world will be the reality we have all desired.

Psalm 149

This is a great psalm to follow Rev. 21.

Notice how verses 6-9 sound like the fight in Jerusalem when the Lord comes. It sounds like Zech. 10:7 and Zech. 12:1-9 all wrapped together in joy and praise.

We don't often think that to withhold praise and open gratitude to God is sin. For all He has given us, we should have hearts of constant flowing praise, trust and adoration. In our Lord we finally know this, yet even the unbelieving world has been made by Him and their very omission of gratitude and praise will stand against them as a judgment. If someone left a car in your driveway with the keys and a note that it was a gift, most of us would seek to find out who gave it and have a heart of thanks. God says that everyone who seeks finds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzqRxFXYXGE

Proverbs 31:10-24

This final section of Proverbs is different than other parts of the book in that the poem here is an acrostic; that is, each line begins with the next successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The human author is unknown, but God made sure this was included.

This is not the description of super woman or wonder woman, but a woman who is a help-mate for her husband. This collection of qualities probably doesn't exist in any one woman on the planet, but putting all of these pieces together you get the image of a woman who was a partner to her husband in life. Cultures change, and times, resources, and needs change; but the God-inspired union between a man and woman is the same. They are to be friends, lovers and partners in living life before the Lord and following Him in the harvest on this planet.

Vs. 10-12 This is probably the most universal and meaningful statement in the poem. A husband is blessed when he realizes how blessed he has been in the wife God has given him.

The following verses describe aspects of what has just been said.

Vs. 13-14 She seeks and brings.

V. 15 She rises and provides.

V. 16 She plans and plants.

Vs. 17-18 She knows how the Lord is using her and finds strength in that.

Vs. 19-24 This has to do with her working with her hands to provide for the poor and for her family. In this case, she is great with a sewing machine. Verse 23 in this context means that her husband wears her stuff. Inherent in this is that the community realizes that he is blessed to have a diligent wife. I don't think verse 24 is a requirement for every woman. Again, verses 10-12 are the focus.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

December 29, Reading Notes

This is exciting. If you have been keeping up, you are on the verge of a major accomplishment. The struggle is worth it and trust me that next year will be easier. I can also tell you, you will get more out of reading the Bible in 2012. Not only will you become more familiar with what God is saying, but you will eventually understand His heart. When you are filled with His Word, it becomes easier to trust Him. Also, your life changes and as it does, the Holy Spirit highlights things in different ways to teach, comfort and correct. More and more you will find that something you have read that day will be used to warn you from doing something, or it will be the truth you needed that day to keep you following Christ in the harvest.

Just a couple more days to go. In our reading today we are not at the end of history, but you can see it from here.

Zechariah 14

Vs. 1-3 As this army attacks Jerusalem, Zechariah recounts the gruesome scene. This will be the reason the people will be crying out. It is in devastation, either just before Jesus' return, or as they visually see Him returning, that the tables are turned. Since Jesus said there would be lightening that would herald His coming, it could be that the lightening terrifies this army and the Jews in Jerusalem are given a supernatural courage and strength and turn the tide. As seen yesterday, apparently the people in the surrounding area see the change in the fighting in Jerusalem and join in to help. Then it looks like Jesus comes visibly and helps out.

Vs. 4-5 Notice the mentions of "on that day." Apparently Jesus appears first and then everyone sees the army of "holy ones" we saw yesterday in Revelation.

Vs. 6-7 This will be different from the day of battle where Joshua asked for the sun to stand still.

V. 8 We have read about this river that will flow out from under the temple. Ezekiel only told us of the part that flows eastward to the Dead Sea. In Revelation 21:2 we will see that this river with its trees is for the nations to come and be healed during the Millennium.

V. 9 This is the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom and Jesus' eternal reign.

Vs. 10-11 We saw in Revelation 16:20 how at the seventh bowl there was a worldwide earthquake that leveled the mountains.

Vs. 12-15 It looks like amid the terror and confusion of the return of the Lord, the opposing armies are also hit with a plague. Apparently they will rot standing. According to Revelation 19, the birds are called in for clean-up. Although this is a plague, you have to think of what would happen to any of us if God took away His sustaining power from us for 10 seconds. All men are frail and live only by His power. God revoked His image, and Nebuchadnezzar, the great king, became an animal and lost everything. If God revoked His thought from us, we'd fall apart. When He revokes His breath, we die.

Vs. 16-19 This description is only with regard to the nations, their submission to Jesus and their requirement to come to Jerusalem yearly. Although we don't have a lot of information about life in the Millennium, we know that there will be an initial judgment separating the wicked from the righteous (weeds and wheat, good fish-bad fish, sheep and goats) so that these thousand years begin only with people who are in submission to Christ. We know that there will be a need for healing and rebuilding in the world. People will come to Jerusalem for the healing trees. We also know from Ezekiel that there will be sacrifices of memorial, remembering the sacrifice of Christ, but these will be celebratory in their focus, not saving or substituting. As we saw in Ezekiel the feast of booths will be held, but not the day of atonement that accompanied it. Atonement has already been made.

Vs. 20-21 The house of the Lord will be a busy, festive place. A sign that all is well on the earth.

Revelation 20

And now for the rest of the story.

Vs. 1-3 Notice that Satan is thrown into a pit, not into hell. His angels are with him. I'll bet that'll be no party. Notice in verse three that he "must" be released. There is a plan in what God is doing.

Vs. 4-6 The Millennial Kingdom hasn't yet begun, but it is close. First, there is judgment.

V. 6 It is generally understood that everyone who is believing, not just the tribulation saints but all the OT believers, are resurrected here. This is the first resurrection. Note that only those who are resurrected now are not affected by the second death. This means that those who are resurrected in the second resurrection experience the second death. This means that all the saved of all generations will be resurrected and will enjoy the Millennial Kingdom. The church had already been resurrected at the rapture before the tribulation began.

Vs. 7-10 The army that Satan is able to amass is huge. This means that even though people will see Jesus and speak with Him, they will still choose to hate Him. Sin trumps rationality. How do you hate the person who gives you life, who is the creator of the very reality you choose to rebel against? This rebellion by mankind is the last piece of the puzzle that gives Jesus His right to cast rebellious mankind into hell. It is what sets up the final judgment before the white throne. We, not Satan, are responsible for our own sin, and having rejected God's offer of help and salvation, we deserve to be cast from His presence into the lake of fire. This will lay to rest the saying, "The devil made me do it."

V. 10 Notice that there is torment in hell. There is no semblance of activity or life activities. It is only punishment. All those stories about the parties in hell and hell being where all the cool people are is utter baloney.

Vs. 11-15 This is the resurrection to judgment. No believer will appear before the white throne. Jesus will prove the righteousness of judgment by what is written in the books. The dead who are raised will be given an eternal body, but their spirit was never reborn, recreated in Christ. Their sinful nature, at death, was judged and became a permanent fixture of their being. Now, even in their new body, they are rebellious of heart. What is interesting to me is that this judgment isn't given any drama. Earth's history has been tragic. The judgment is concluded. The end of that sad history deserves a brief description.

V. 14 Notice that both death and Hades, that place of waiting, are gone forever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCjj-DJIb6s

Psalm 148

What better way to conclude the sad tragedy that was earthly history than with praise to God. This is one of those songs of worship that included the plan of redemption. Notice that in verse 11 all kings and nations are called upon to praise the Lord.

V. 14 This is why they were to praise God. He raised up a "horn" or as Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, prophesied in Luke 1:69, "and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David…."

Jesus was that king, the king who has saved us and who will return and reign forever..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suJ5su5GcM

Proverbs 31:8-9

King Lemuel's mother also told him this, and God thought it was worth passing on. It is interesting when you read about what Jesus was sent to do, one of those things was to preach good news to the poor and to bring justice to victory. Our Lord wants us to have a heart for the poor and those who need justice, but the most important thing we have to offer is the good news.

Luke 4:18 (Jesus reading Isaiah in the synagogue in Nazareth) "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." 20 And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

December 28, Reading Notes

Zechariah 12-13

It is very interesting that both Zechariah and Revelation are zeroing in on the same battle and events surrounding the second coming of Jesus.

Zechariah 12

V. 1 This is a solemn declaration to the right of God to do what He is about to do. It makes me think of what we'll be reading about Jesus in Rev. 19. Also, this sounds like the way Paul begins some of his charges to Timothy in 1&2 Timothy, declaring God's majesty. God bases His right to save and to judge based on His being the author of creation and the author of the life of man. I'd say that gives Him the right, alright.

Vs. 2-3 We have seen before that God is very passionate about Jerusalem. God will make Jerusalem a sliver in the world and everyone will become totally preoccupied with trying to remove it. But the more they try to destroy it, the more they will hurt themselves.

It is hard to really know what is happening here, but it could be as follows. It seems to me that just before the mid-point of the tribulation, the army of "Magog" will come in to Israel to fight against Jerusalem and will be supernaturally destroyed. The Antichrist will come upon Jerusalem, kill the two witnesses and defile the temple, declaring himself to be the Messiah or God himself. The Jews will flee Jerusalem, as Jesus told them to and head for the hills, literally. Toward the end of the tribulation and very near to the time Christ returns, it looks like the Jews will slowly come back into Judah and into Jerusalem. Probably the Antichrist will set up his headquarters somewhere else. While he is preoccupied by killing believers and with the arrogance of "Babylon" and the other nations that do not bow to him, the bowl judgments will be poured out. This would allow the Jews to come back to Jerusalem. It could also be that some revelation is given through the Spirit to draw the Jews back for the coming of Christ.

As the armies of the world begin fighting north of Jerusalem, it could be that the Jews retake the city and an army comes against Jerusalem to wipe them out. This could be the time that Christ returns to save His city, His followers and those Jews who still haven't made a decision. It will be during this distress that they call out to the Lord saying, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." This is my take on things.

Notice that in these last three chapters the phrase, "on that day," will be used quite a bit. It would be worth underlining it.

Vs. 4-5 On this day, God will strike the armies around Jerusalem with terror. It might be that lightening that Jesus talked about. Those living around Jerusalem (the people in Judah) appear to be holding back and not joining those who have gone into Jerusalem. But they will see that the people who have believed and gone into the city to wait for the return of Christ have a supernatural strength and protection.

Vs. 6-9 This is fighting. The clans of Judah will be supernaturally inspired and everyone will become a warrior. The people in Jerusalem will like David in his fighting ability. Those descended from David will be awesome and unbeatable. Though the main fighting is 15 miles north on the plain of Meddigo (Har-Meddigo = Armageddon), the forces that thought taking Jerusalem would be a piece of cake will be totally destroyed.

It is important to see all of the Bible together. Revelation shows us the judgments on the world that weaken the structure of nations. Revelation shows the nations gathering on to fight north of Jerusalem. Zechariah shows us God's passion for His city and the battle going on there when He arrives.

Vs. 10-14 These people in Jerusalem will see the Lord return to the Mt. of Olives. Many of them are believing but those who are not will be cut to the heart just like the Jews were after Peter's message in Acts 2:37. They will weep and repent for the entire history of Israel. The houses of Nathan, Levi, and the Shimites were all branches of David's descendants.

V. 11 This is a reference to the mourning of the people when King Josiah was killed. Josiah was killed on the plain of Meddigo. Although the word "Armageddon" only occurs in Revelation, this is a clear allusion to the place and the battle that will rage there.

Zechariah 13

Vs. 1-6 Express the complete cleansing that will take place on that day.

Vs. 7-9 This will be the devastation to Jerusalem as that army attacks. In the press of this battle, as they are losing and dying, they will cry out, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." The lightening will come and terrify the army. The people in Jerusalem, first, will be inspired with joy and superhuman ability like Samson or one of David's three champions. The battle will turn and the Lord will appear to save His city.

Revelation 19

Meanwhile in heaven…..

Vs. 1-3 This multitude are those killed in the tribulation as seen in Rev. 7:9. They are praising God for the coming judgment.

It is hard to grasp that the destruction and judgment of "Babylon" is such an important event. It reminds me of Genesis 15:16 where God told Abraham that He wouldn't give him the land yet because the "iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." Apparently the full measure of the saints were martyred in Babylon and now sin of mankind and the full measure of guilt was complete. With the judgment of Babylon, the full righteous wrath of God could now roll. But it isn't only judgment that is complete.

Vs. 4-5 This worship of the elders and creatures is because of this pivotal event.

Vs. 6-10 Now, I'm not sure how all of this worked toward the announcing of the marriage supper of the Lamb at this point, but it did. That is, I think the order of events is important. The marriage supper has to occur after the tribulation is over. Something in what has just happened also opened the door for the announcement of the marriage supper celebration of the Lamb and the church, His bride.

V. 6-7 This multitude is the church and they are announcing the marriage.

V. 8 These righteous deeds didn't make her pure, but were a symbol of her redemption in Christ. This is our work in the harvest. Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

V. 9 It is important to realize that God has special things planned for different groups of believers. There is a difference in rewards and position. The 24 elders are limited to 24. There are those who believed in the OT, before Christ, most of whom will not be resurrected until the Millennium. There is the church, the bride of Christ, who have already been resurrected at the rapture before the beginning of the tribulation. Then there are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. This group is distinct from the bride. Then there are the saints martyred during the tribulation who will be resurrected and reign with Christ during the Millennial Kingdom.  I probably left someone out, but these are some examples.

V. 10 John was overcome by all of this and fell down to worship the messenger, but the angel gently corrected him. Earlier when John fell down to worship, it was Jesus, so that was OK.

So what does it mean, "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy?" If prophesy means, "the telling of things to come," then inherent in talking about Jesus is the revealing of God's program of redemption and judgment.

Vs. 11-21 Now in very quick order we have the second coming of Christ. Apparently the stage was fully set with the destruction of Babylon. It really is interesting that in Zechariah we've been reading what will be happening in Jerusalem while this is going on in heaven.

Vs. 11-16 Now the King is coming to fight.

This army with the Lord is probably angels. Just to keep things in perspective, this battle will result in the deaths of all of the opposing soldiers. This then is not Jesus sending out His angels to separate the wicked from the righteous. That will happen once Jesus is established on His throne. That is the judgment Jesus referred to as the separation of the sheep and the goats. Those who die here will be sent to Hades where they will sit in punishment to be resurrected to judgment before the white throne at the end of the Millennium. Then they will be sent to hell, the lake of fire.

Vs. 17-21 Putting everything together, Jesus first returns to Jerusalem, to the Mt. of Olives and saves Jerusalem. This is visible to everyone, including the armies to the north who now turn all of their fire power (if they have any) on Jesus. I suppose that since Jesus shows up with an army, they think they can fight against Him. Obviously one angel could decimate a human army. The appearance of a human army could inspire arrogance on the part of the armies gathered. They probably think they can put up a fight and win. It could also be that on the spiritual side of things, another battle is raging between Satan's angels and Michael and his angels.

V. 20 There is not a lot of drama or fanfare here. The Antichrist and the prophet are captured and they are immediately thrown into the lake of fire. They become the first official inhabitants of hell. What a great honor.

V. 21 Everyone else who is killed goes to Hades, that place of waiting, in punishment until they stand before Christ for judgment.

This is all coming. Knowing Jesus means we know these events are certain. The same blood that saves is the same blood that judges the sin of the world. Now is the time to work in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples who will make disciples until the time when Jesus comes.

Psalm 147

This is a great psalm. Underline or make a list of the things God does. Once you see this pattern, you also see when the pattern is broken, like in verses 5 and 10-11.

V. 12 The Lord's interest in Jerusalem/Zion is something we are used to by now.

Vs. 15-19 It is interesting to me that suddenly we have all of these references to the Word. Didn't we just see the Word on a white horse?

V. 20 is meant here to be a privilege, but in Israel's history, knowing God's decrees, and disobeying them, has also been what has led to judgment. But here, having the Word is their joy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_nGXCDM8qA

Proverbs 31:1-7

The words of King Lemuel are verses 1-9. We know nothing about this guy. No king of Israel ever had this name. God knew who he was and here are a few words Lemuel's mother taught him.

V. 2 I read this and laugh. How often do parents look at their sons and say "what are you doing." Here, she has to ask him three times. I wonder what he was doing. J Obviously the repetition emphasizes her love and concern for him.

V. 3 This is immorality or adultery or sexual excess. We saw what it did to both David and Solomon.

Vs. 4-5 This caution is toward drunkenness and excess, not drinking within bounds. Jesus drank wine.

Vs. 6-7 Excess in drinking is OK for those who are on their deathbed or those who have suffered a great tragedy, probably to get them to sleep.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

December 27, Reading Notes

Zechariah 10-11

Zechariah 10

This chapter seems to be saying that in His future blessing of Israel, God will give the nation a good shepherd.

Vs. 1-2 A good shepherd would lead the people to God. Without a good shepherd they wander. Notice the encouragement for them to call on and seek the Lord instead of relying on junk and the words of others. Nothing has changed since then and God is telling us the same thing today.

Vs. 3-5 First, God will provide a shepherd to the tribe of Judah. Notice the references to ruling and leading into battle. As we'll see tomorrow in both Zechariah and in Revelation, the Lord will come first to Jerusalem to gather His people and then head north to the battle. And there will be an actual battle.

Vs. 6-7 God will then strengthen all of Israel represented in the leading tribes. Again, tomorrow the references to battle will make more sense. According to verse seven, when the Lord leads them to the battle of Armageddon they will be so "drunk" with the Spirit, that they will go forth in joy and power. They will be invincible. And their leader, this time, will not be turning the other cheek.

Vs. 8-12 With this victory behind Him, this shepherd will gather all of the sheep to Jerusalem and they will walk in His name.

Zechariah 11

But first, the nation will reject the shepherd and be given to judgment. It might be that Zechariah did some role playing here in verses 4 & 15.

Vs. 1-3 This is a poetic picture of ruin.

Vs. 4-14 Jesus became the good shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter. They were doomed because they didn't accept Him. This generation was scattered and Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D..

V. 8 The three shepherds may have been the priests, the Pharisees and the scribes. These were the main leaders of the people. Most of the priests were Sadducees, not believing in angels or the resurrection. I was reading this morning how hard Jesus was toward the Jewish rulers, Pharisees and scribes. They took away the key of the knowledge of salvation from the people. They themselves didn't enter and the made it extremely difficult for anyone who found the way through the grace of God.

V. 10 Because of His rejection by the leaders, the staff of "favor" was broken.

V. 13 This is what Judas was paid to betray Jesus. It is interesting that the money here was thrown to the potter, and in Matt. 27:5 the priests used the betrayal money to buy the potter's field.

V. 14 The staff of "union" might symbolically describe the Jews being scattered in the Roman persecution.

Vs. 15-17 This is the judgment on those who led Israel after Jesus' resurrection. We see in the early chapters of Acts that these Jewish leaders were completely worthless in recognizing what was happening and leading the people.

As those who are seeking to make disciples who make disciples, Jesus said that a disciple is not above his master. That means that those we teach will be like us. That's pretty scary. That means that we better be like our teacher, the great shepherd. And we can only be like Him if we humble ourselves daily in His Word and follow Him, with our cross, into His harvest.

Revelation 18

Vs. 1-3 It appears that God has used the Antichrist's own anger to judge whatever nation or city is represented by Babylon. You have to wonder why this is such a big deal in heaven. I think that this Babylon, without any of Satan's influence, is the expression of mankind's self-indulgent rebellion and sin. This is how our hearts flow and how we work to ruin on another.

V. 3 This verse gives us the scope of this world influence and dominance. It is sensual, material, commercial, pleasurable and addictive. We don't have the name of this nation, but the US would be an example of a nation that has this kind of influence in the world, enticing the pride, pleasure and greed of men.

Vs. 4-8 Note that there are still saints within her. Notice also that this destruction by fire takes place in a single day.

Vs. 9-10 The mourning of the kings or the rich of the world. You notice that the immorality is not literal, but spiritual.

Vs. 11-19 This is the mourning of the merchants and consumers of the earth. Notice again that Babylon's destruction came in a single hour. Apparently this will make the news.

Vs. 20-24 Notice that judgment is being given for the saints and apostles and prophets. Somehow this nation represents the heart of man opposing God and His servants. The deciding verse here is verse 24, where the blood of the prophets and saints was found in her. I was thinking this morning that two of the arch enemies Paul faced were Demetrius the silversmith and Alexander the coppersmith. They were businessmen. Alexander, apparently, was responsible for Paul's final imprisonment, and Paul told Timothy to avoid him.

Notice that God has given us two chapters about a nation and influence that dominated the world. And, we'll hear more about it tomorrow. This nation led people away from God. It seduced people and nations through pleasure, and music and goods and power and a focus on greed and self. It killed God's people not because of Satan, but because God's people, by their love for Christ and very presence were a light to the sin of this nation. By following God, they were a threat. This nation defied God and it defied Satan. Mankind doesn't need Satan to be ruined from sin. We do that fine by ourselves. As C.S. Lewis said, "The dwarfs are for the dwarfs." During the Millennial Kingdom where everything is perfect and where Satan is locked up, mankind will still harbor lust and desire and greed. There will be many who will hate Jesus. They will see and hate. When Satan reappears, there will be multitudes who will follow him. The desires of our sinful nature create Babylon and lead us away from God.

Psalm 146

What speaks to me here is that God teaches us to look beyond the human. He is our only hope. We deceive ourselves thinking that we or anyone else is our help and hope. God may use others, but it is He alone and always only Him. I'll praise God for hard times because this is where I learn this and learn to praise Him alone.

V. 8 I read this morning how the Good Shepherd healed a women who was bent over from satanic oppression and released her of that bond on the Sabbath day. Then a worthless shepherd stood up and opposed Him. And in a few words, Jesus rebuked all of those leaders and put His adversaries to shame. There was definitely no cheek turning as the Good Shepherd defended one of His own. He is our strong deliverer. It is amazing to think of what Jesus has done, still does and will do to save us as we follow Him in the harvest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yv81-Q8wKA

Proverbs 30:33

Anger is a good thing not to "press." The joke regarding this verse is that some guy challenged a preacher saying that the Bible isn't true. The preacher called the guy up on stage, read this verse and as he reached out for the guy's nose he said, "Let's see if this verse is true."

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

December 26, Reading Notes

Zechariah 9

Vs. 1-8 We can understand this as the judgment on Israel's neighbors and the peace that the Messiah brings to Jerusalem.

V.9 When you read this, it should be easy to understand why Israel thought the Messiah would be the great conquering king at His coming. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, Jesus fulfilled this verse. How were they to know that the fulfillment of the rest of the chapter would be thousands of years later? Jesus' followers didn't understand this either. They would have had to have listened to Jesus' words. The fact that Jesus was so soundly rejected by the leaders and the people meant that they were bound by sin. The power of sin would have to be broken first. But before that, there would need to be a payment for sin as a way to be forgiven. And for that there would need to be a sacrifice.

Vs. 10-17 There is a mixture of tribulation and redemption and rescue and regathering and millennial blessing in these verses. Not only that, notice that verse 13 is a one-verse encouragement given to the Maccabaens in their fight against Antiochus Epiphanes (the little horn and type of the antichrist from Daniel 11).

After reading what we've read in Revelation, you can understand some of these images better. God will save His people, yet this was all written 500 years before Jesus died. And now the church has been working for two thousand years. Yet, when the Father determines that the number of the Gentiles is complete, the redemption and restoration of Israel begins and then it will unfold quickly.

Isn't it interesting to think that we are a part of this. As the disciples in the church following Christ in the harvest, we herald His offer until the number of the Gentiles is full, and then begins that final seven years of God redeeming Israel and using them to reach the world during the days of His judgment of mankind.

Revelation 17

There is so much that we don't know about what is being said in chapters 17 & 18, I'll share what we do know that makes sense to me. Really, it makes sense to read both chapters in order to get a fuller picture.

Since this chapter comes after the bowl judgments and since it mentions the blood of the saints (v.6) and that the Lamb conquered this person, I'm thinking there is a chronological significance to telling the destruction of this city/nation now. I think it is important that Satan and the beasts have sent out spirits challenging all those in opposition to come and fight. It looks like this city/nation was used by the Antichrist but was not in submission to the Antichrist and so was finally done away with by the Antichrist and his nation (v. 16).

Vs. 1-2 This prostitute is a city or nation as seen in verse 18. It is difficult to think this is a single city since the influence is worldwide and it involves the spreading of an immoral lifestyle. But this influence is also commercial, but in making and receiving the world's goods. It is hard to think a single city of the world could do all of this. In the OT, Tyre and Sidon had this reputation. I think that this "whore" is representative of a nation with world influence, just as the beast is the designation for a person (the Antichrist) and for a nation.

The symbol of a prostitute has been used before in terms of being untrue to God and leading others away from Him. The mentions of sexual immorality are obviously figurative. These express her influence leading nations away from God to a lifestyle of self-absorption, sensuality and materialism. That the nations have become drunk, I would think is a fascination by all other nations of what she has to offer. For example, the only nation on the planet today that has this influence over the world is the US. People in other nations are drunk with our music, our movies, our sin, our sensuality, our influence, our materialism, our iPhones, iPods, iPads, etc…. I'm not saying this is the US, but the US serves as a great example of what is meant here.

Vs. 3-4 The beast she is riding on is the nation of the Antichrist. Verse 16 shows that the beast, the Antichrist, and his nation will eventually hate her and destroy her. At this point they appear to be allies, using one another to serve their own purposes.

V. 5 That she is called "Babylon" is a mystery. Some people believe that the city of Babylon in Iraq will be rebuilt and become this. But that would be a huge mystery, since that area is so unstable and deeply conservative, that it would be beyond anyone's imagination that Iraq could become the center of such a sensual, materialistic and intoxicating influence.

During the years of King Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon was the home of a world wonder, but we don't hear of its influence in the world. The only other Babylon that has this influence over mankind came much earlier in the Bible. This is the Babel of Nimrod where all of mankind came together with one mind to go the wrong direction. God confused the languages, thereby slowing down the progress of the ruination of mankind. There was something about Babel that seems to have a very human quality about it. Rather than being driven by Satan, it seems driven by the soul of man to satisfy himself and fulfill his own desires his own way. I'm speculating. Whatever this Babylon is, it is used by Satan, but eventually it crosses purposes with Satan.

V. 6 So, this city/nation is guilty of killing the followers of Jesus. The very language shows that she is guilty of a great slaughter. Maybe that's why the beast is red, soaked in blood. Here, like Daniel, John is stunned by her ability to destroy God's people.

V. 7 The beast carries or supports her.

V. 8 This will be something that the people in the tribulation will have to figure out. The only being I can think of where this could be true is Satan. He was, and "was not," in that he will be chained in the abyss for 1000 years and then rises from the abyss and then will be thrown into the lake of fire. If it isn't Satan, it will have to be someone or some nation that fits this description that only those in the tribulation will figure out.

Vs. 9-11 Every generation of people since this was written have tried to figure this out. So far no one has been convincing.

Vs. 12-14 Now this sounds more like Daniel and the 10 horns. This will be the nation of the Antichrist, and though it wars against the Lamb by killing Jesus' people, the Lamb will conquer it through the following of His people.

Vs. 15-18 The thing that was interesting about Tyre in the OT is that it could remain independent of other nations, and because of its trade, it had influence and grandeur and a kind of arrogance. Egypt couldn't beat Tyre. Assyria couldn't defeat Tyre. Babylon couldn't humble Tyre. It was finally Alexander the Great who destroyed Tyre.

It appears to me that this nation is used as a willing tool of Satan and the Antichrist, but is ultimately defiant because of its trade and wealth and influence. Since all men are drunk with the influence of this nation, it holds an addictive dominance over nations that rivals the Antichrist. It appears that at the end of the seven years, the Antichrist will make a play for full and complete world dominance. This nation "Babylon" will be standing in his way. I say that this nation must be motivated by humanness, because Jesus said it was impossible for Satan to be divided against himself. If men can oppose God in favor of their own desires, they can oppose Satan too and for the same reasons.

Vs. 16-17 God will use an evil nation to destroy the whore. It seems that during all the disaster of the bowls, the nation of the Antichrist will do something either spiritual or atomic to burn up that "Babylon."

Psalm 145

This is a great psalm. Look for words that have to do with David expressing his love and thanks. Then look for things that the "Lord is…" or what the Lord does.

All of this praise and all of David's recognition of God's love and favor only came because David pursued God. This is part of what Paul meant in Phil 3 when he said, "I press on to make it my own, because Christ has made me His own." Paul didn't endure life, he actively pursued Christ in the harvest. That's how we learn to trust and endure and grow. Then, when we have become like Him and have seen His salvation a thousand times through a thousand challenges to keep on following, we learn to proclaim and praise Him.

Proverbs 30:32

So, God makes the small and wise, and He makes the strong and proud. When we make ourselves, we shame ourselves. We need to let God make us who we are.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

December 25, Reading Notes

Everyone thinks of peace and silence when they celebrate Christmas. Even if they don't believe in Jesus, they think of peace and they like the day off of work. It really is too bad that they don't get what is going on. Jesus' second coming will only have peace and silence after the dust has settled, and that is putting it lightly. Today I was reading about Jesus evading arrest in the temple around Hanukkah (around Dec. 25th, just months before His sacrifice), and later saying to some Pharisees who were trying to scare Him, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those sent to you. How often I would have gathered your children as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you would not. Behold your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.'" People still miss Him this Christmas, although the offer is still being made today. Until a person is thirsty, they will not come to the waters. Until they are so needy that they cry out, "I need you" (or blessed is He comes in the name of the Lord), they will not welcome the message or the Messiah. As disciples, we present the message, and those who are thirsty come to the waters.

Zechariah 8

The time of these messages is still the occasion noted at the beginning of chapter seven. Notice how often it says, "Thus says the Lord of Hosts."

Vs. 1-8 We have a "before and after" scenario here. Verses 1-2 have His wrath against the nations (wait until you read the chapter in Revelation today), but the rest of the verses describe peace and security, with God dwelling in their midst.

Vs. 9-13 The beginning and the end of this section says, "let your hands be strong." Even though God would bless that present remnant, the generation and remnant they were working for was the future Israel that would be saved and honored by God at the second coming of Christ. We know enough from Ezra, Nehemiah and Malachi to know that this present generation did not honor the Lord. But that shouldn't discourage them, because God has told them of the future and of His future blessing to the nation. God has given us all of this information for the same purpose, to make our hands strong as we follow Christ now in the harvest.

Vs. 14-17 If they had obeyed God, they would have experienced more blessing. When we get to Malachi it will look very sad. Malachi reads like the 1 Corinthians of the OT. Still, as evidence of God's deep patience and faithfulness, there will be a remnant of Israel that will serve Him in the tribulation and be a testimony to the earth in the Millennial Kingdom.

Vs. 18-19 Instead of Israel commemorating their sad and tragic past by these fasts they imposed upon themselves, God will turn their fasts into feasts. Notice the last sentence and the "therefore." What do you think the "therefore" is there for?

Vs. 20-23 This is their testimony to the nations in the Millennial Kingdom. For an interesting connection to this, read Isaiah 55.

Revelation 16

As I've mentioned before, the only people who will really understand what is happening in the tribulation, particularly the timing of events we're reading about here, will be those who are believing and going through the tribulation. It will give them hope knowing what events follow what events. It will help them hang on in faith and hope. One of the challenges in what we'll read today is that the seals are very similar to the trumpets. I think there is a space of two years or more between them. Some think they are the same thing and others only put a few months between them. I think the interlude in the judgments has been used by God to allow mankind to accept or reject Him. Their rejection has been shown in killing God's followers and then following the Antichrist. I think God gave the earth this interval of "calm" to give people a sense of false security. They might have thought, "The worst is over, we survived and now who cares about all that scary "God" stuff?" If that is the case, the similarity of the bowls to the trumpets will let people know that God was behind these plagues. The intensity of these bowls will be 100 times worse.

Vs. 1-2 The loud voice in this case intensifies the burning wrath of God. How poetic that the only people affected by this will be those who received the mark of the beast. This will be a worldwide plague of pain. And, it will give God's people a break from being pursued. During the tribulation, those who are reading this will understand that the bowls of God's judgment are underway. They will know exactly when this judgment has begun. Pretty cool, I'd say.

V. 3 The second trumpet killed a third of the fish. This second bowl kills all marine life. God can make more fish later, but for now, the oceans are dead. Also, the blood of a corpse looks black, not red.

Vs. 4-7 The fresh water will be turned to blood. Notice that this judgment shows that all of these are in response to the people of the earth having killed those who follow Christ. Note that under the altar are the martyrs.

Vs. 8-9 Everyone was happy that the sky finally began to clear up, but wait, the ozone is gone! Whatever the problem is, people are burning up, worldwide. Notice that there is a connection here to the plagues of Egypt in that people know it is God, but they do not repent. It doesn't say that God hardened their hearts. Like Pharaoh, their hearts were already hard.

Vs. 10-11 When God brought darkness to Egypt, it didn't affect the Jews (Ex. 10:23). That means this will only affect those nations that follow the Antichrist. It's hard to find your painkillers when you can't see. This is also poetic justice for following Satan and ignoring God. They wanted darkness and they get darkness. And again, they fail to repent. Apparently they had that chance.

Vs. 12-14 Now, the Euphrates was already dried up once. My guess is that through the power of the Antichrist and the false prophet (beasts 1 & 2) the water was restored to the river and a treaty of peace was made with China. This time, it appears that the Euphrates is dry for good and the forces opposed to the Antichrist get mad.

There is a question here that we can't answer, but one that is good to consider. Why are these armies assembling at Armageddon? We know the Lord is bringing them there for the day of judgment, but Satan is also calling them there. Satan knows that they couldn't be victorious against Jesus any more than they could be successful against his own spiritual power. If Satan is rational at that moment, the only thing I can imagine is that he is bringing mankind there to be damned by God. I think that makes him happy. But it might also be that God allows some nations to resist Satan, the Antichrist, and the false prophet. Nothing makes you lose your mind more than a conflict. It could be that these spirits that go out are spiritually inciting the nations who oppose the Antichrist to come and duke it out. This option would be my guess.

V. 15 is Jesus' note to the entire seven-year judgment, that it will begin without warning. This period of time will be so devastating that it will be worth it to be ready. You won't want to live through that time nor be present at this last war. The reason I think Jesus is referring to the entire seven years is that by the time you get to this time period of the tribulation, the believing will be able to know the time of His return is very near. When the war at Armageddon begins, you could almost set your watch. On the other hand, this is also a wake-up call for any followers at that time who have given up hope or are overwhelmed by the sorrow and hardship. Jesus often said, "He who endures to the end will be saved." "Saved" means they will be kept from despair and damage.

Vs. 17-21 Not only is this a great earthquake, 253 on the Richter scale, but the earth is leveled and the islands cease to exist. One note here is that it says that at the time of the Millennial Kingdom, Jerusalem will be the only mountain in that area. That must mean that Jerusalem is spared some of the devastation. It also means that the plain of Armageddon just became broader and flatter and now you can probably see the plain from Jerusalem. This might be why it says in Zechariah that Jesus will have to rebuild the temple and why the city won't have any walls. But beyond Israel, every city on earth will be destroyed. Then there is a sound and light show and 100-pound hail. Even in Texas that would be considered big. Again, it looks like this hailstorm is worldwide. I'll bet the insurance companies have ceased to exist by this time. So, how can you curse God knowing He did this, and not repent? But hey, we can do anything. We are Man.

I think there will be some length of time in here. It will take time in this newly and completely devastated world to rally troops to Israel. And now too, we'll have an interlude because a city (nation?) of the world has been completely destroyed and the earth will mourn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCjj-DJIb6s&list=PL8F3FC504C539471B&index=110&feature=plpp_video

Psalm 144

Vs. 1-2 I wonder if David wrote this after a battle. In the heat of fighting, having narrowly missed many swords and arrows, and having defeated so many who came against him, David is now able to think about what happened. Reflecting back he realizes it was God who saved him and who gave him those unique moments when he prevailed.

It is interesting that one of the things he thinks about is God's steadfast love. God had anointed David as a young teen and told him through Samuel that he would someday be king. David was probably amazed that he was still alive. There was only one thing he could attribute this to: the steadfast love of the Lord.

As disciples, God has promised us fruit and spiritual joy & abundance in following Christ. But, we've got to keep following and pressing forward in the harvest. And when it comes, we'll say, like David, that it was totally the Lord and His steadfast, faithful love, just as He had promised.

Notice that David still needs rescuing.

V. 15 This will definitely be true for those people who endure those final days of the tribulation and witness the coming of Christ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH92RT9jm4Q

Proverbs 30:29-31

We've just seen that God makes things. He made the "small & wise" in the last proverbs. Today, God made it naturally so, that these can't help but look stately and proud. It is His doing. Tomorrow comes the lesson.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.