If you don't
have a One Year Bible or prefer something online, this link will take you to
the day's reading, http://oneyearbibleonline.com/daily-oyb/. This
site allows you to select from several languages and several English
translations.
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 and 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.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are 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, that is, 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 and important discipleship manual we have and it is the 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, or whom we are to be following. 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, as disciples, 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, 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 (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
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. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a
supplement, a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we
will keep following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making
disciples, who make disciples. Being in
the Word every day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the
essential essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full
presentation of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
No comments:
Post a Comment