DECEMBER 26
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 my covenant,
I think of Jesus. Covenants in the OT were often made with blood, but not all.
Jesus specifically referred to His blood as my
blood of the covenant. (Matt. 26:28)
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 U.S. 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 U.S., but the U.S. 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 U.S. Again, I'm not saying the U.S. is this
city or nation. It could be some other nation or city, but the U.S. 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 had 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 seemed to have a very human quality about
it. Rather than being driven by Satan, it seemed to be 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 In the Old Testament the city
of Tyre was written about in the same way as this city of Babylon. Both Isaiah
23 and Ezekiel 26 refer to the influence and destruction of Tyre. Also, it was
told that the nations would cry when it was destroyed and its goods were no
longer available. 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 supreme 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, 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 Philippians 3:12, 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
complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find
it in my book: Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
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.
If you would like
documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to
print.
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