December 31, 2012 Reading Notes

December 31, 2012 Reading Notes

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Time to celebrate!

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, right? Who does He think He is anyway? J

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 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 penny. 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 with Abraham.

V. 7 So what do the statutes have to do with returning to God and paying the tithes? Remember in Nehemiah that Nehemiah set everything in order. The priests 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 had 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 that 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. Yet, a little following and trust, mixed with a major portion of living your life the way you want, only brings bitter disappointment. We are not left here to have more comfort, better health and cooler toys than the unbelieving world. We are here to serve our Lord, following Him with a cross on our shoulder into the harvest. In this there is joy. Any other view is our own.

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.

V. 18 God will make this distinction clear at Christ's coming and in all eternity. For those who love Jesus, they already understand the spiritual depth of this difference. It is all grace and nothing we have done. To know Him is itself the reward.

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. John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. (Luke 3:16-18, ESV) I always smile when I read that last sentence after John's version of the "good" news.

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 (RSV), (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 that dawns upon us.

Vs. 5-6 So, is this John the Baptist? Jesus said that John fulfilled this ministry. Jesus said in Matthew 17:12 RSV, "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 and 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" on the new earth. We have no idea 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 (ESV), You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

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 or 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 (RSV), "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 readiness and attitude 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. As often as we have read references to Isaiah 55 in Revelation and in the gospels, I think it would be a good chapter to memorize, along with Isaiah 53, of course.

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. (2 Timothy 2:1, RSV) 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. Here is the expression of that grace that should make us strong as we follow in the harvest.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so 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 a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:4-10, ESV)

Stronger, Hillsong

Psalm 150

Vs. 1-6 What a fitting end to the year and to all of our reading about the Lord's return. Praise the Lord!

Proverbs 31:25-31

I have to wonder why Proverbs ends with this description of a godly woman, especially when Proverbs began with a man telling his son not to be a fool. Maybe the way the Lord keeps us men from becoming fools, in addition to His Word, is by giving us good, godly wives.

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 comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

December 30, 2012 Reading Notes

December 30, 2012 Reading Notes

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

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 God answers these complaints through Malachi, God 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. When we have "problem with God," it is usually the result of our being lukewarm and indifferent toward Him. To follow God closely shows us His heart, but often people only want to appease Him and not really be bothered by Him. In the end, 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.

The Three Returns from Exile, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, OT, p. 652.

Chronology of the Post Exilic Period, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, OT, p. 654.

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 message that says "Daniel 13." When I preach Daniel, I always conclude the series with these verses in Malachi. Messages

Both Jacob and Esau represent countries, countries taken into exile. Only Israel returned. That return 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. Think of all that God did in Daniel and Esther and Ezra and Nehemiah. The people missed all of this amazing and mighty love and said, "How have you loved us?"

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. They thought, "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 priests 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 priests really serving and trusting?

Twice God reminds the priests of His majesty in vs. 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. In contrast to what these priests were doing, look at what Paul, a disciple of Jesus, did, said and modeled for us.

But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:15-16 (ESV)

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 "end result" of their sacrifices. Note, that in 1 Samuel 2:22ff, Eli also didn't stop his sons from desecrating the tabernacle. The reason for that was that Eli was happy to be well fed. Notice the reference to Eli at his death (1 Samuel 4:18). In a poetic sense, the impure sacrifices he allowed, helped kill him. 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 the sin of the people typified in this one guy who was walking into his tent with a foreign woman, a cult prostitute for Baal. While everyone else stood frozen, Phinehas grabbed a spear, ran like crazy through the camp and killed the couple. Immediately the plague stopped. The priests in Malachi's day should have been this spiritually alert, brave and passionate for God and should have taken a stand for the welfare of the people.

Through Phinehas' ministry alongside Joshua, the people were taught to obey and honor God, and that generation 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. Those "falls" 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 became corrupted. Ironically, one of the rebukes that Jesus delivered on the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees was regarding their view of marriage and their allowance for divorce. (Luke 16:14-18)

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. God was a witness against them.

Vs. 15-16 This is 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 (Matt. 5:32). 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. God doesn't like that. He makes allowance for the sin of man, but He still expresses His anger toward those who make divorce 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. (Luke 12:48, RSV)

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, to trust Him and obey Him. 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.

Trust and Obey, Big Daddy Weave

Revelation 21

V. 1 Now it is time for a new heaven and a new earth. The heaven 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 will be orbiting the earth during the Millennial Kingdom and will be 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 v. 6 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. Our 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. Paul was just happy with the honor of being able to follow in the harvest.

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 v. 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. And as Jesus said in John 14:16, the Holy Spirit will be in us forever.

V. 26 There will be nations, which 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 inhabitants 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. Finally! And knowing God, it will be a zillion times better than the best we've ever experienced here, which is the bad dream. His redeemed world will be the reality we have all desired.

Psalm 149

This is a great psalm to follow Revelation.

Vs. 1-4 Notice that the new song and this assembly are before the Lord in Zion. If there is this kind of joy mentioned in this psalm, I would expect it to be at least like this in the eternal life with God. If God took that kind of pleasure in His people in Zion, what will it be like in the new Jerusalem?

Vs. 5-9 Notice how vs. 6-9 sound like the fight in Jerusalem when the Lord comes. It sounds like Zechariah 10:7 and Zechariah 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. Imagine just taking the gift and not trying to find or thank the giver or pretending the car just happened. God says that everyone who seeks finds.

Psalms 149:1 "Praise the Lord"

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 by 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 v. 24 is a requirement for every woman. Again, vs. 10-12 are the focus.

I would suggest that if a husband and wife are a "team" and deeply in love, she is already doing what God has designed for her that fulfills this blessing, even if she isn't dealing for land or sewing clothes. Today, maybe this woman is good with coupons, keeps her family fed and knows when the sales are on at the store.

Finally, this is just a note referring back to Proverbs 30:32-33. These verses were given on the 26th and 27th. My German, Luther, One-Year Bible, put both verses on the same day. Not only that, Luther gave an accurate and variant translation of verse 32. Putting both verses together, the import would be that whether you have considered something like a fool, or whether you have really done a good job of considering a point (same word as Proverbs 31:16), put your hand over your mouth because stirring up anger and strife is still to be avoided. So whether you are wrong or right, don't cause a fight.

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 comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

December 29, 2012 Reading Notes

December 29, 2012 Reading Notes

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

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 - next year will be easier. I can also tell you, you will get more out of reading the Bible in 2013. Not only will you become more familiar with what God is saying, but you will understand His heart more and more each year. 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 We are at the very end of the Tribulation. As this army attacks Jerusalem, Zechariah recounts the gruesome scene. Apparently this will last a couple of days since there are people taken alive out of the city. At first, the attacking army will be victorious. This will be the reason the people will be crying out for the Messiah. It is in this devastation as Jesus returns and they visually see Him returning, that the tables are turned. Since Jesus said there would be an awesome sign in the sky like lightning that would herald His coming, it could be that the sign in the heavens is what terrifies this army. At the same time, the Jews in Jerusalem are given a supernatural courage and strength, and they 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 people of the nations that are allowed to go into the Millennial Kingdom and describes 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 believing and in submission to Christ. We know that there will be a need for healing and rebuilding in the world. We know that certain resurrected people will act as leaders, governors, mayors, guiding the people and nations of the world. People will come to Jerusalem for the healing trees. We also know from Ezekiel that there will be memorial sacrifices, 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.

As we are about to read in Revelation, even in a perfect world without Satan to deceive mankind, the sin of man will still grow and rebel against God. When Satan is released after 1000 years, he will find people all over the world who are willing to follow him and come against Israel and God.

Vs. 20-21 The house of the Lord will be a busy, festive place - 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 v. 3 that he "must" be released. There is a plan and a purpose ordained 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. (Those who believe in the pre-tribulational rapture of the church understand that the church on earth was transformed and that the "dead in Christ" were raised before the beginning of the Tribulation. 1Cor. 15:51-52) This "first resurrection" mentioned here is only "first" in reference to the next resurrection at the end of the Millennial Kingdom. Note that only those who are resurrected now are not affected by the second death. This means that all those who are resurrected in the second resurrection experience the second death. This means that all the saved of all generations will be resurrected at the first resurrection and will enjoy the Millennial Kingdom. In fact, some of those who are raised will reign with Jesus as leaders in the world, directing countries, cities and many offices in governments. One of these will be King David. (Ezekiel 37:25) Again as I understand it, the church had already been resurrected at the rapture before the Tribulation began.

Vs. 7-10 The army that Satan is able to amass at the end of the Millennium is huge, like the sand of the sea. 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. Sin is and always has been our problem. Faith in God and His Word has always been the solution. People born during the Millennium have now seen and not believed for a thousand years. Having rejected God's offer of help and salvation, they 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." It will also lay to rest every other argument. There will be a perfect world, and mankind will see God and they still won't like Him. God's judgment is absolutely righteous.

V. 10 Notice that there is torment in hell. There is no semblance of activity or life, or government or parties. It is only punishment. All those stories about the parties in hell and hell being where all the cool people are is utter baloney. Also, Satan will not be "ruling." He will also be in torment, humbled to the level of those he worked to corrupt.

Vs. 11-15 This is the resurrection to judgment. No believer will appear before the white throne. In Jesus' descriptions of judgment in John 5:28-29 and in the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25:31-46, the righteous were resurrected first and the unrighteous were then judged and sentenced. He just didn't say the different resurrections would be separated by a thousand years. 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. There is no second chance. They had their second, third, fourth….chances during their life on earth. 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 only a brief description.

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

Praise God! We are here now to work in His harvest, knowing that we, and all those who believe, will be blessed forever in Christ.

We Will See Him, Hillsong

Psalm 148

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

Vs. 1-2 As we've read, someday this will be totally true, and we'll be there to see it.

Vs. 3-10 In Romans 8:19-22 it says that the creation waits for our redemption.

Vs. 11-12 And there will come a time when all who are on the earth will praise the Lord.

Vs. 13-14 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.

Psalm 148, Sons of Korah

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, that one of those things was to preach good news to the poor and to bring justice to victory. (Matthew 12:20) 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 4:18-21 ESV (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, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." 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. 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 comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

December 28, 2012 Reading Notes

December 28, 2012 Reading Notes

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

It is very interesting that both Zechariah and Revelation are zeroing in on the same battle and events surrounding the second coming of Jesus. Notice however that both in both books, the Lord is showing us what will happen from two completely different perspectives. While Revelation is showing us what is happening in heaven, at the same time, Zechariah (in our reading today and tomorrow) is at ground level, in the city, showing us the carnage that will come to the Jews as they cry out for the Messiah. When they cry out He will come and the tables will be turned and then what we read today in Revelation 19:17-21 will take place.

Zechariah 12-13

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 know what is really 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 into 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 with hunting and killing Jews and believers worldwide, he will also have to deal with the arrogance of "Babylon" and the other nations that do not bow to him. Somewhere in this last year of the Tribulation, and close to the end, 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. It is obvious from Scripture where He is to return.

As the armies of the world begin fighting each other 75 miles north of Jerusalem, it could be that the Jews retake the city and a portion of the antichrist's army comes against Jerusalem to wipe them out. This could be the time that Christ returns to save His city and His followers. We will see tomorrow that this army will kill many and rape and pillage. It will look like extermination is certain for those in Jerusalem. Those Jews who still haven't made a decision will have their opportunity. It will be during this utter 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 that day, God will strike the armies around Jerusalem with terror. It might be that lightning 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 are suddenly given 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, like Samson. Though the main fighting is 75 miles north on the plain of Megiddo (Har-Megiddo = Armageddon), the forces that thought taking Jerusalem would be a piece of cake will be totally destroyed. When the antichrist finds out that his troops are being swept way, he will be too far north to do anything about it. Just for chuckles, here is the route from Megiddo to Jerusalem.

It is important to see all of the Bible together. Revelation shows us the judgments on the world that weaken the structure of the nations. Revelation shows the nations gathering to fight north of Jerusalem. Zechariah shows us God's passion for His city, and the battle going on there when Jesus 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. 10 This is quoted in John 19:37 regarding Jesus.

V. 11 This is a reference to the mourning of the people when King Josiah was killed. Josiah was killed on the plain of Megiddo. 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 These verses express the complete cleansing that will take place on that day, from sin and from all forms of deception and lies.

Vs. 7-9 This will be the devastation to Jerusalem as that army attacks. In the press of this battle, as the people are losing and dying, they will cry out, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." The lightning 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 as the Lord appears to save His city.

To see how devastating this battle at Jerusalem is, look at the first four verses of tomorrow's reading. When the Lord comes, it will look very, very bad for the Jews in Jerusalem. Then, at the moment He comes the armies are terrified, the unbelieving Jews mourn in repentance and trust Christ and those who had already believed are already feeling their muscles bulging and are ready to mix it up.

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 finally martyred in Babylon and now the sin of mankind and the full measure of guilt were 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. The destruction of Babylon and the vengeance on the blood of the saints was important.

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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

V. 9 It is important to realize that God has special things planned for different groups of believers. Also, there is a difference in rewards and position. The 24 elders are limited to 24. That position and those rewards are granted only to them. 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 were resurrected at the rapture before the beginning of the Tribulation. This group of guests is distinct from the bride, the church.

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 prophecy? If prophecy means, "the telling of things to come," then inherent in talking about Jesus is the revealing of God's past, present and future 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, in growing detail, while this is going on in heaven.

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

This army with the Lord might be angels, but who knows. 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. On the other hand, those who are unbelieving and 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.

V. 15 That Jesus will rule with a rod of iron is simply saying it will be with unbending truth. No one will be able to tell Jesus He doesn't know their hearts or that He is misjudging their motives.

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, but so could anyone with the Lord who was empowered by the Spirit. In Zechariah we have already heard that the believers will be given superhuman ability. 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. That might be the human side of the fight. 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 vs. 5 and 10-11.

Vs. 1-6 It is interesting reading this immediately after Zechariah and Revelation.

Vs. 7-11 In my Bible verse 9 of this psalm is immediately to the right of Revelation 19:17-18. That, too, is pretty interesting. Verse 11 says it all.

Vs. 12-20 The Lord's interest in Jerusalem/Zion is something we are used to by now. God will call all nations there during the Millennium for blessing.

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.

Chuck Stevens - Praise The Lord Psalm 147

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 comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

December 27, 2012 Reading Notes

December 27, 2012 Reading Notes

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

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 in both Jerusalem and 75 miles north in Megiddo (Armageddon).

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 v. 7, when the Lord leads them to the battle of Armageddon, the people 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 or generation of Israel that was doomed to slaughter. Jesus' generation was 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 chief 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 they made it extremely difficult for anyone who found the way through the grace of God. In John 19:15 (RSV), it was the chief priests who cried out, We have no king but Caesar.

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 chief priests, scribes and Pharisees 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 in leading the people.

For an interesting connection here, read John 10, about the Good Shepherd. You'll see some of this imagery in Jesus' words.

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 one another. If you read Romans 1:18ff, you'll notice that mankind's rebellion and punishment is mentioned without reference to Satan. Man ruined man and all men are under the power of sin.

V. 3 This verse gives us the scope of this world influence and dominance. It is sensual, material, commercial, pleasurable and addictive. As mentioned before, 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 today's 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. Those believers within that city will have a warning, if by no other means than by opening their Bibles. Notice here is says that Babylon was destroyed in a single (one) day. It will refer to this destruction two times more as "one hour." That gives the indication that it will definitely and literally take place in one hour.

Vs. 9-10 This is 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 be "breaking 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 v. 24, where the blood of the prophets and saints was found in her. I was thinking this morning that two of the archenemies 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, music, 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. By the end of the Millennium, there will be many who will hate Jesus. They will see Him and despise Him. 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.

Man may be for Man, but as disciples, we are for the Lord and His harvest.

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 are our help and hope. God may use others to help us, but it is He alone and always only Him. I'll praise God for hard times because that is where I learn and learn to praise Him alone.

Vs. 1-2 This is the call to praise and the declaration of the psalmist. Can we say this?

Vs. 3-4 Since men die, our sure hope is in an undying and unfailing God.

Vs. 5-7 In these short verses you have the promise to Abraham. This promise and faithfulness is illustrated in how God still stayed with that dishonest follower, Jacob. Then there is the creation and how God in faithfulness holds all that together. Finally, God is the judge of the earth who cares for the poor.

Vs. 8-10 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.

What Joy (Psalm 146) - Sarah Emerson

Proverbs 30:33

One of the ways to read this verse today is together with v. 32, as a conclusion to vs. 24-31. Just as God made the humble and the proud a certain way, the fool will come to this end.

Anger is a good thing not to "press." The joke regarding this verse is that some guy challenged a preacher saying that the Bible wasn'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 comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

December 26, 2012 Reading Notes

December 26, 2012 Reading Notes

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Zechariah 9

Vs. 1-8 We can understand this as the judgment on Israel's neighbors and then comes 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 this chapter of Zechariah would be thousands of years later? Jesus' followers didn't understand this either. They would have had to have listened to Jesus' words and believed Him in spite of what they thought they knew. Jesus had more than proven that He was the Messiah and that He had been sent from the Father. 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 had to be broken first, before they could believe Him or the Word. 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, redemption, rescue, regathering and millennial blessing in these verses. Not only that, notice that v. 13 is a one-verse encouragement given to the Maccabees in their fight against Antiochus Epiphanes (the little horn and type of the antichrist from Daniel 11).

V. 11 When I read the “blood of the covenant,” I think of Jesus. Covenants in the OT were often made with blood, but not all. Jesus specifically referred to His blood as the blood of the covenant.

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 was born, ministered and 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 was used by the antichrist, but it 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 as seen in v. 18. It is difficult to imagine that a single city could have a worldwide influence and involve the spreading of an immoral lifestyle. This influence is also commercial as seen 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, the cities of 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 the intoxicating fascination by all other nations of what she had 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. Maybe there is one city, New York or L.A., that would be representative of the US. Again, I'm not saying the U.S. is this city or nation. It could be some other nation or city, but the US serves as a good example of this worldwide influence of corruption.

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. Notice that the beast is red, probably with the blood of God’s followers.

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. Rome is another guess, but again, unless the world changes drastically, Rome is known for its ruins and the Vatican.

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. That was 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 to wreak havoc on earth one last time 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 has tried to figure this out. So far no one has been convincing. This will make sense to the believers going through the Tribulation.

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. For Satan, all roads that lead away from God are good roads, even if they don't appear to lead to him.

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." As Satan showed when He destroyed Job's children and herds, he has enough destructive spiritual force to destroy a nation if necessary.

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.

Vs. 1-3 Is it ironic or prophetic that David sings out that he will praise and bless God's name forever. Did he actually know he would do that forever? This morning I was reading in Romans 11:33 (ESV) Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Amen! David may not have known, but the Spirit inspiring David knew.

Vs. 4-7 Now it is not only David's praise, but generations will declare the greatness of God.

Vs. 8-9 This is not only stated elsewhere in Scripture, but David had lived this in those years running from Saul.

Vs. 10-13 What an amazing eternal perspective David had. Since Daniel and Isaiah hadn't been written yet, you have to think that this prophecy was given to him by the Holy Spirit.

Vs. 13-21 And not only does the Lord have eternal dominion and glory, He is compassionate and hears the voices of those who love Him and call upon Him.

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 3:12 (RSV) when he said, I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus 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. But, 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 comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.