Many Christian theologians wrongly believe today that God has cast off Israel, that the Church has been chosen by Him and will inherit all the unkept promises and unfulfilled prophecies made to His Chosen People. If they are correct, they face an embarrassing problem—to explain away God’s failure with His “firstborn son”, as the Bible calls Israel. A careful examination of the promises and prophecies about Israel in the Bible, together with an unshakable faith in the power of Almighty God, added to modern secular history combine to prove that the apostle Paul was correct in writing that God has not cast away Israel in Romans 11. Events of history, past and future, will gloriously confirm that nothing is too difficult for God. God has not finished with Israel. In fact, He has only begun. The crucifixion of Jesus in 32 A.D. ended the first of three stages of His dealings with them. We have been in stage two since then; God is using His Church to draw out a remnant of Gentiles to His Kingdom; physical Israel has morphed into spiritual Israel which contains Jews and non-Jews. Stage three, after Christ’s Second Coming, will see the new Israel fulfill every promise made by God.
In 70 A.D. Rome left physical Israel homeless, almost extinct, and scattered throughout the world. In 2011 A.D. they have a small fraction of their Promised Land, clinging precariously to existence surrounded by enemies. The future of physical Israel, indeed, is grim, but their final destiny is glorious. Christ will pour out grace on physical Israel, and many will accept Him. As God promised in Exodus 19, spiritual Israel will be a holy nation of priests for Jesus Christ to the world, and they will occupy the whole land that God promised, from the Nile River to the Euphrates River.
The serious Bible student will gain new insights by a careful study of the following scriptures, for they contain prophecies, some already partially fulfilled, revealed by God that show how wayward Israel will become the people He planned for them to be.
1. God promises that Israelites will never disappear from the earth: JEREMIAH 30:10-11
2. By allowing Canaanites to remain in conquered Canaan against His will,, God destroyed the nation Israel in 70 A.D. and scattered the homeless survivors to other nations: NUMBERS 33:50-56
3. God promises nation Israel will reject the Messiah when He comes: ISRAEL 6:9-10
4. God reveals His everlasting covenant of salvation by grace through faith: JEREMIAH 31:31-34
5. God promises a remnant of nation Israel will receive salvation: JEREMIAH 31:7-9
6. God promises nation Israel will be restored to the land, given grace, and accept Jesus: EZEKIEL 36:24-36
7. God promises to call out a remnant of Gentiles for salvation: Hosea 1:2-11
8. God promises that Israel will furnish evangelists for Jesus Christ during the great tribulation: REVELATION 7:1-8
9. God promises to remove nation Israel’s spiritual dullness after the Second Coming: ZECHARIAH 12:10-13
10. God promises Israel will send Christian evangelists to the whole world during the millenial reign of Christ: ZECHARIAH 14:8
11. God promises worldwide revival during the millenial reign of Christ: ZECHARIAH 14:16
12. God promises that His Church will draw out a people from among Gentiles from the time of the crucifixion of Christ (32 A.D,) until His Second Coming (unknown date beyond 2011 A.D.): ACTS 15:14 combined with Romans 11
13. God reveals the last war on earth will occur after Satan us freed from captivity (Revelation 20:3): EZEKIEL 38
Dr. William J. B. Crittenden
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Jesus Foretold: Gentiles Believe (MP 97)
Jesus the Messiah came to His own,
His people, to whom He had been foretold,
As their precious and special cornerstone,
But they spurned Him and the gospel He told!
He had His disciples preach to the Gentiles,
Who heard the words of life with great delight,
Turned from the evil one and all his wiles,
Believed in Jesus, and helped spread the light!
The stone, upon which Israel had stumbled,
Became the capstone on which the Church stood,
Bringing fruit to God, before Him humbled;
Though attacked by Satan, the Church withstood!
What Israel rejected, the world received,
Which was in the Plan God preconceived!
Prophecy Made: Isaiah 8:14, 49:6, written in the 7th century B.C.
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 21:42-44; 1 Peter 2:4-9, written in the 1st century A.D.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
His people, to whom He had been foretold,
As their precious and special cornerstone,
But they spurned Him and the gospel He told!
He had His disciples preach to the Gentiles,
Who heard the words of life with great delight,
Turned from the evil one and all his wiles,
Believed in Jesus, and helped spread the light!
The stone, upon which Israel had stumbled,
Became the capstone on which the Church stood,
Bringing fruit to God, before Him humbled;
Though attacked by Satan, the Church withstood!
What Israel rejected, the world received,
Which was in the Plan God preconceived!
Prophecy Made: Isaiah 8:14, 49:6, written in the 7th century B.C.
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 21:42-44; 1 Peter 2:4-9, written in the 1st century A.D.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Friday, May 27, 2011
Jesus Foretold: Teaches In Parables (MP 96)
The apostles asked Jesus why He taught
The people in parables, and He told them so,
“Knowledge of the secrets I have brought
Of heaven’s kingdom’s not yet theirs to know!
Messiah said, ‘Seeing, they do not perceive;
Their hearts are calloused, their ears closed, and
eyes’;
Those who know little, less will they receive;
Those who know much, so much more God
supplies!”
It was not time for Israel to believe;
On His Second Coming they will accept,
And tell the world Jesus Christ to receive;
God’s promises to Israel will be kept!
They will be a nation of Christian priests,
With seats of honor at all heaven’s feasts!
Prophecy Made: Psalm 78:2, written in the 10th century B.C.
Supporting Scripture: Isaiah 6:9-10, written in the 7th century B.C.
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 13:11-17, 34; also, Mark 4:33; John 16:25, all written in the 1st century A.D.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
The people in parables, and He told them so,
“Knowledge of the secrets I have brought
Of heaven’s kingdom’s not yet theirs to know!
Messiah said, ‘Seeing, they do not perceive;
Their hearts are calloused, their ears closed, and
eyes’;
Those who know little, less will they receive;
Those who know much, so much more God
supplies!”
It was not time for Israel to believe;
On His Second Coming they will accept,
And tell the world Jesus Christ to receive;
God’s promises to Israel will be kept!
They will be a nation of Christian priests,
With seats of honor at all heaven’s feasts!
Prophecy Made: Psalm 78:2, written in the 10th century B.C.
Supporting Scripture: Isaiah 6:9-10, written in the 7th century B.C.
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 13:11-17, 34; also, Mark 4:33; John 16:25, all written in the 1st century A.D.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Jesus Foretold: Temple Must Be Standing (MP 95)
In both the New Testament and the Old,
As Messiah in the Old, Jesus in the New,
Prophesied first, then in history told,
The temple was standing, for Christ to view!
It has not stood since seventy A.D.,
When the Romans of Titus invaded,
Nor had it stood in five hundred B.C.,
Since it Babylon annihilated!
This is one more proof of Jesus foretold
As Messiah the Christ, Jesus by name,
For the times He spoke there were manifold,
As the prophets said He would, when He came!
The Jews today pretend Him to expect;
With no temple, their hope must be suspect!
Prophecy Made: Psalm 118:26, written in the 10th century B.C.; Haggai 2:9, written in the 4th century B.C.; Zechariah 11:13, written in the 4th century B.C.; Malachi 3:1, written in the 4th century B.C.
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 21:12, written in the 1st century A.D.; etc. Mark, Luke, John
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
As Messiah in the Old, Jesus in the New,
Prophesied first, then in history told,
The temple was standing, for Christ to view!
It has not stood since seventy A.D.,
When the Romans of Titus invaded,
Nor had it stood in five hundred B.C.,
Since it Babylon annihilated!
This is one more proof of Jesus foretold
As Messiah the Christ, Jesus by name,
For the times He spoke there were manifold,
As the prophets said He would, when He came!
The Jews today pretend Him to expect;
With no temple, their hope must be suspect!
Prophecy Made: Psalm 118:26, written in the 10th century B.C.; Haggai 2:9, written in the 4th century B.C.; Zechariah 11:13, written in the 4th century B.C.; Malachi 3:1, written in the 4th century B.C.
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 21:12, written in the 1st century A.D.; etc. Mark, Luke, John
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Monday, May 23, 2011
Jesus Foretold: Vinegar To Drink (MP 94)
In His last living words, Jesus said, “I thirst”,
And He drank the vinegar they supplied,
Thus showing His care from the very first
That all prophecies be met ere He died!
You wonder how I know the Bible’s true?
In its pages hundreds are prophesied
About Jesus, and the things He would do,
And by later writers all verified!
One fourth of the Bible is prophetic;
A large portion of that now is fulfilled;
None has yet failed, nor brought God discredit,
And I know that none of it ever will!
God’s Word is the truth, in this world of lies,
A safe haven for your faith to reside!
Prophecy Made: Psalm 69:21 (Written in the 10th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 27:34, 48; Mark 15:36: Luke 23:36; John 19:28-30 (Written in the 1st century A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not die, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
And He drank the vinegar they supplied,
Thus showing His care from the very first
That all prophecies be met ere He died!
You wonder how I know the Bible’s true?
In its pages hundreds are prophesied
About Jesus, and the things He would do,
And by later writers all verified!
One fourth of the Bible is prophetic;
A large portion of that now is fulfilled;
None has yet failed, nor brought God discredit,
And I know that none of it ever will!
God’s Word is the truth, in this world of lies,
A safe haven for your faith to reside!
Prophecy Made: Psalm 69:21 (Written in the 10th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 27:34, 48; Mark 15:36: Luke 23:36; John 19:28-30 (Written in the 1st century A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not die, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Jesus Foretold: Pierced For Us (MP 93)
A rusty nail driven deep into wood,
Pierced each hand and foot, where such ought
not be;
What fiend is this, that humanity could
Hang Him thus, inflicting such agony?
Why, He’s no fiend, but their own Savior dear,
Come to redeem them from death and the grave;
The only reason Jesus came down here
To a condemned world was lost souls to save!
This is His thanks, for offering to men
A new life, when they’d thrown the first away?
To receive pardon for their guilt of sin,
Only to believe Christ was slain that day?
It was cruel, no doubt, to slay Christ, the Son,
But divine justice required it be done!
Prophecy Made: Psalm 22:16 (Written in the 10th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 35; Luke 23:11, 35, 39 (Written in the 1st century A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Pierced each hand and foot, where such ought
not be;
What fiend is this, that humanity could
Hang Him thus, inflicting such agony?
Why, He’s no fiend, but their own Savior dear,
Come to redeem them from death and the grave;
The only reason Jesus came down here
To a condemned world was lost souls to save!
This is His thanks, for offering to men
A new life, when they’d thrown the first away?
To receive pardon for their guilt of sin,
Only to believe Christ was slain that day?
It was cruel, no doubt, to slay Christ, the Son,
But divine justice required it be done!
Prophecy Made: Psalm 22:16 (Written in the 10th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 35; Luke 23:11, 35, 39 (Written in the 1st century A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Jesus Foretold: God With Us (MP 92)
Before Jesus came, all were walking dead,
Condemned for sins, Adam’s, as well their own;
Fates were fixed, and no excuse could be pled,
But God preplanned that death be overthrown!
By Himself dying for all the world’s sin,
Now any who will, may live, by believing—
God was this Jesus, living as the man—
Those choosing, their verdicts relieving!
“Immanuel” means “God with us”; He was
Jesus of Nazareth, a man, as we;
Not like us, for He sinned not as Man does,
But showed us how righteous we all should be!
God made us; we failed Him, and would have
died;
He died in our place, that death be denied!
Prophecy Made: Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:6-7 (Written in the 1st century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: John 14:9-11 (Written in about 95 A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not die, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Condemned for sins, Adam’s, as well their own;
Fates were fixed, and no excuse could be pled,
But God preplanned that death be overthrown!
By Himself dying for all the world’s sin,
Now any who will, may live, by believing—
God was this Jesus, living as the man—
Those choosing, their verdicts relieving!
“Immanuel” means “God with us”; He was
Jesus of Nazareth, a man, as we;
Not like us, for He sinned not as Man does,
But showed us how righteous we all should be!
God made us; we failed Him, and would have
died;
He died in our place, that death be denied!
Prophecy Made: Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:6-7 (Written in the 1st century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: John 14:9-11 (Written in about 95 A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not die, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Jesus Foretold: Everlasting Covenant (MP 91)
Jesus Foretold: Everlasting Covenant (MP 91)
God made with men an unbreakable pact—
That all who in Jesus truly believe,
He will their sins forgive, their deaths subtract,
And everlasting life with Him receive!
Unlike Law, which required men to obey,
This new covenant conveys God’s free grace,
Adding His pow’r each man’s lack to belay*;
God’s Holy Spirit guiding in life’s race!
There is no god so wonderful as He;
He provides life when death to all was due,
Suffering death Himself to set men free—
Nailed to the cross in place of me and you!
This grace covenant He planned from the start,
For God foreknew man’s untrustworthy heart!
*belay = to stop; in this usage, to fill
Prophecy Made: Jeremiah 31:31-34 (Written 6th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Hebrews 8:6-13 (Written 1st century A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
God made with men an unbreakable pact—
That all who in Jesus truly believe,
He will their sins forgive, their deaths subtract,
And everlasting life with Him receive!
Unlike Law, which required men to obey,
This new covenant conveys God’s free grace,
Adding His pow’r each man’s lack to belay*;
God’s Holy Spirit guiding in life’s race!
There is no god so wonderful as He;
He provides life when death to all was due,
Suffering death Himself to set men free—
Nailed to the cross in place of me and you!
This grace covenant He planned from the start,
For God foreknew man’s untrustworthy heart!
*belay = to stop; in this usage, to fill
Prophecy Made: Jeremiah 31:31-34 (Written 6th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Hebrews 8:6-13 (Written 1st century A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Jesus Foretold: Born In Bethlehem (MP 90)
Shame be unto you, Levi, priestly tribe,
That you failed to search out facts, easy found,
Of Jesus’ life, long known to ev’ry scribe,
Which proved Him heir to King David’s crown!
Hearsay named Him “Nazarene”, which He bore,
When “Bethlehem” was His true place of birth,
As Micah wrote four hundred years before;
Not one of you sought this truth to unearth!
Other truths could so easily appear,
Convicting Israel Jesus was God’s Son,
Promised to them for so many a year,
They might not have killed Him, as they had done!
Even Magi in the far-away East
Knew His advent better than Israel’s priests!
Prophecy Made: Micah 5:2—“ ‘But you, Bethlehem Ephrahthah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler of Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.’ “ (Written in the 6th century, B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 2:5-6 (Written in the 1st century, A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
That you failed to search out facts, easy found,
Of Jesus’ life, long known to ev’ry scribe,
Which proved Him heir to King David’s crown!
Hearsay named Him “Nazarene”, which He bore,
When “Bethlehem” was His true place of birth,
As Micah wrote four hundred years before;
Not one of you sought this truth to unearth!
Other truths could so easily appear,
Convicting Israel Jesus was God’s Son,
Promised to them for so many a year,
They might not have killed Him, as they had done!
Even Magi in the far-away East
Knew His advent better than Israel’s priests!
Prophecy Made: Micah 5:2—“ ‘But you, Bethlehem Ephrahthah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler of Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.’ “ (Written in the 6th century, B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 2:5-6 (Written in the 1st century, A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Friday, May 13, 2011
Jesus Foretold: John The Baptist (MP 89)
John Baptist was promised by God to send,
Ahead of Jesus, to prepare the way;
John came, asking Israel their sins to end,
“Repent, O Israel; be baptized today!
A great stir ensued; many went to hear;
The Pharisees asked John, “Are you the One?”
“No,” replied John, “but He is standing near;”
And He was—among them then stood the Son!
Jesus came down, asking to be baptized;
“Not You, Lord; I’m not fit to tie your shoe!”
“Let it be now, that all be realized,
As a sign, of what the righteous should do!”
And the Savior under the Jordan slipped,
Teaching believers, they, too, ought be dipped!
Prophecy Made: Isaiah 40:3—“A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.’ “ (Written in the 7th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 3:1-3 (Written in the 1st century A.D,)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Ahead of Jesus, to prepare the way;
John came, asking Israel their sins to end,
“Repent, O Israel; be baptized today!
A great stir ensued; many went to hear;
The Pharisees asked John, “Are you the One?”
“No,” replied John, “but He is standing near;”
And He was—among them then stood the Son!
Jesus came down, asking to be baptized;
“Not You, Lord; I’m not fit to tie your shoe!”
“Let it be now, that all be realized,
As a sign, of what the righteous should do!”
And the Savior under the Jordan slipped,
Teaching believers, they, too, ought be dipped!
Prophecy Made: Isaiah 40:3—“A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.’ “ (Written in the 7th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 3:1-3 (Written in the 1st century A.D,)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Jesus Foretold: Forsaken By Friends (MP 88)
You would think that one of the three, at least—
Peter, James, or John, those closest of all—
With Jesus in the hands of the high priest,
Would keep close, to help or be on call!
Neither the eight at the gate, nor the three,
Dared remain in sight when He was taken;
As the prophet had warned, the sheep scattered,
When the shepherd was struck; their world shaken,
Places of hiding were all that mattered!
For this time had the Lamb of God been born,
To give His life in atonement for sin,
Yet no friendly face to share in the scorn
Could He see, just the hatred of cruel men!
Looking down from the cross, John He could see,
But of the others, not one there would be!
Prophecy Made: Zechariah 13:7 (5th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 26:56; John 19:26 (1st century A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” (Romans 10:9)
Peter, James, or John, those closest of all—
With Jesus in the hands of the high priest,
Would keep close, to help or be on call!
Neither the eight at the gate, nor the three,
Dared remain in sight when He was taken;
As the prophet had warned, the sheep scattered,
When the shepherd was struck; their world shaken,
Places of hiding were all that mattered!
For this time had the Lamb of God been born,
To give His life in atonement for sin,
Yet no friendly face to share in the scorn
Could He see, just the hatred of cruel men!
Looking down from the cross, John He could see,
But of the others, not one there would be!
Prophecy Made: Zechariah 13:7 (5th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 26:56; John 19:26 (1st century A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” (Romans 10:9)
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Jesus Foretold: Thirty Silver Pieces (MP 87)
“It is better for Israel that One die,”
Said the high priest, “than for the whole nation!”
Speaking of Jesus, whose fame was so high,
After Lazarus’ life restoration!
Though He preached to great crowds ev’ry day,
Their fear of riot kept Him safe from arrest;
A paid informer, who’d show them the way,
Was needed, to lead them where He took rest!
Judas asked them, what amount would they pay,
And he was told thirty silver pieces;
He agreed; that night he did Jesus betray,
Having them arrest the One he kisses!
So one of the Twelve sold Him with a kiss;
Nothing done to God could be worse than this!
Prophecy Made: Zechariah 11:12-13 (5th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 26:15 with 27:3-10 (1st century A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Said the high priest, “than for the whole nation!”
Speaking of Jesus, whose fame was so high,
After Lazarus’ life restoration!
Though He preached to great crowds ev’ry day,
Their fear of riot kept Him safe from arrest;
A paid informer, who’d show them the way,
Was needed, to lead them where He took rest!
Judas asked them, what amount would they pay,
And he was told thirty silver pieces;
He agreed; that night he did Jesus betray,
Having them arrest the One he kisses!
So one of the Twelve sold Him with a kiss;
Nothing done to God could be worse than this!
Prophecy Made: Zechariah 11:12-13 (5th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 26:15 with 27:3-10 (1st century A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Friday, May 6, 2011
“By my Spirit, not by power or might,”*
God said His Son would win the souls of men;
Jesus entered Zion**, bringing gospel light,
Riding a donkey, meekly, souls to win!
The common people welcomed Him in joy,
Waving fronds and shouting hosannas high;
Not the leaders, who plotted Him destroy,
Zealous in hatred, wanting Him to die!
The donkey and acclaim enraged them more,
Reminding all of David, their great name;
He, too, rode a donkey, to people’s roar—
To royalty, Jesus was laying claim!
No one entered Jerusalem mounted;
That honor only for Messiah counted!
*Zechariah 4:6; **Zion = Jerusalem
Prophecy Made: Zechariah 9:9 (5th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 21:1-11 (1st century A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
God said His Son would win the souls of men;
Jesus entered Zion**, bringing gospel light,
Riding a donkey, meekly, souls to win!
The common people welcomed Him in joy,
Waving fronds and shouting hosannas high;
Not the leaders, who plotted Him destroy,
Zealous in hatred, wanting Him to die!
The donkey and acclaim enraged them more,
Reminding all of David, their great name;
He, too, rode a donkey, to people’s roar—
To royalty, Jesus was laying claim!
No one entered Jerusalem mounted;
That honor only for Messiah counted!
*Zechariah 4:6; **Zion = Jerusalem
Prophecy Made: Zechariah 9:9 (5th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Matthew 21:1-11 (1st century A.D.)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Jesus Foretold: Specific Date Of Coming (MP 85)
Angels in heaven did not know the date
That Jesus the Messiah was to come,
But Daniel knew how long Israel would wait—
God sent Gabriel with a conundrum!
He said, “In three score and nine weeks of
years,
The Anointed One will have lived and died!”
Jews should have known just when Jesus
appears,
And had no excuse for casting Him aside!
When you consider the prophecies made
Of the life of Jesus before He came,
You must marvel how Israel could evade
Instant belief in His redeeming name!
Reading the Bible, Gentiles do wonder
How Israel could make such a great blunder!
Prophecy Made: Daniel 9:21-27 (Written in the 6th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Both Biblical and secular histories confirm the life of Jesus of Nazareth that occurred 483 (sixty-nine “weeks” of) years after king Cyrus of Babylon issued the decree mentioned in Daniel 9: 2 B.C. to 32 A.D.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
That Jesus the Messiah was to come,
But Daniel knew how long Israel would wait—
God sent Gabriel with a conundrum!
He said, “In three score and nine weeks of
years,
The Anointed One will have lived and died!”
Jews should have known just when Jesus
appears,
And had no excuse for casting Him aside!
When you consider the prophecies made
Of the life of Jesus before He came,
You must marvel how Israel could evade
Instant belief in His redeeming name!
Reading the Bible, Gentiles do wonder
How Israel could make such a great blunder!
Prophecy Made: Daniel 9:21-27 (Written in the 6th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Both Biblical and secular histories confirm the life of Jesus of Nazareth that occurred 483 (sixty-nine “weeks” of) years after king Cyrus of Babylon issued the decree mentioned in Daniel 9: 2 B.C. to 32 A.D.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Monday, May 2, 2011
Jesus Foretold: Believers' Intercessor (MP 84)
Jesus returned to heaven receiver
Of all power in the heavens and earth,
Sole intercessor for the believer,
His brother and co-heir to His great worth!
For two thousand years He’s ruled from God’s throne,
And will continue till He comes again;
Safely kept in His hand are all His own;
He pleads to God their ev’ry plea and pain!
Satan accuses believers of sin,
Both day and night, before the throne of God;
But Christ’s the advocate for righteous men,
Loaning His righteousness their way to trod!
The devil’s cases tossed out, ev’ry one,
Because of the sacrifice by God’s Son!
Scripture Quoted (NIV) [Brackets added]
Prophecy Made: Isaiah 59:16—“He [Jesus Christ] saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene [to intercede for the righteous]; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.” (Written in the 7th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: 1 Timothy 2:5—“For there is one God and one mediator [intercessor] between God and man, the man Christ Jesus,” (Written in the 1st century A.D.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Hebrews 9:16—“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called [believers in Jesus Christ] may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” (Written in the 1st century A.D.)
Commentary On: “Jesus Foretold: “Believers’ Intercessor”
We must keep in mind that God planned all this before creation; knowing that helps us to appreciate the magnitude of His love for us. Because of sin, ours and Adam’s, the whole human race was sentenced to eternity in hell, and as Isaiah writes in the quotation above, He saw that there was no one to intercede and save any person, even the righteous, so He gave Himself to die, paying the debt we owed for our sins; not only that, He covered our impurity with His own righteousness. Thus, He became intercessor for us in the form of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
What is this same Jesus doing today, 2000 years after His ascension back to heaven? When the resurrected Christ re-entered heaven, He received a welcome like none other in history. He was immediately ushered into the throne room and given back the authority of all power in the universe, the glory He had relinquished for the interlude He spent in the flesh of Jesus. He is King and ruler of the world, managing all the affairs of men; and He is the intercessor for those who believe in Him, taking care that His own brothers receive all the promises made to the righteous in the Bible. If you read the 10 verses in Chapter 3 of Zechariah, you will see how Jesus Christ intervenes for the believer in life’s trials, as well as in his judgment after death. There is a vision of Israel’s high priest Joshua by Zechariah; Joshua is appearing before God in heaven in soiled garments. There Joshua is accused by Satan (who is constantly accusing all Christians of their misdeeds to God, hoping to have them condemned to hell) of wearing stained and messy clothing in God’s presence; Jesus intervenes and orders His angels to put clean and pure clothing (symbolic of how He imputes His righteousness to believers). When Joshua is dressed properly, Christ rebukes Satan saying (paraphrased), “What’s wrong with Joshua now? Isn’t he a brand snatched from the coals (meaning, a sinner snatched from the fires of hell)?” It is important for us to understand that Joshua, as well as all men and all women, cannot make himself pure and righteous; Jesus Christ imparts His sinless nature to cover our sinful natures, just as He did for Joshua.
In the doctrine of our Christian brothers, Roman Catholics, is the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, whose soul presumably is already in heaven, can intercede for Christians who address her in prayer; also, they believe that persons they have beatified as saints, will do the same. However, the Bible says there is only one mediator, and He is Christ.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Of all power in the heavens and earth,
Sole intercessor for the believer,
His brother and co-heir to His great worth!
For two thousand years He’s ruled from God’s throne,
And will continue till He comes again;
Safely kept in His hand are all His own;
He pleads to God their ev’ry plea and pain!
Satan accuses believers of sin,
Both day and night, before the throne of God;
But Christ’s the advocate for righteous men,
Loaning His righteousness their way to trod!
The devil’s cases tossed out, ev’ry one,
Because of the sacrifice by God’s Son!
Scripture Quoted (NIV) [Brackets added]
Prophecy Made: Isaiah 59:16—“He [Jesus Christ] saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene [to intercede for the righteous]; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.” (Written in the 7th century B.C.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: 1 Timothy 2:5—“For there is one God and one mediator [intercessor] between God and man, the man Christ Jesus,” (Written in the 1st century A.D.)
Prophecy Fulfilled: Hebrews 9:16—“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called [believers in Jesus Christ] may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” (Written in the 1st century A.D.)
Commentary On: “Jesus Foretold: “Believers’ Intercessor”
We must keep in mind that God planned all this before creation; knowing that helps us to appreciate the magnitude of His love for us. Because of sin, ours and Adam’s, the whole human race was sentenced to eternity in hell, and as Isaiah writes in the quotation above, He saw that there was no one to intercede and save any person, even the righteous, so He gave Himself to die, paying the debt we owed for our sins; not only that, He covered our impurity with His own righteousness. Thus, He became intercessor for us in the form of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
What is this same Jesus doing today, 2000 years after His ascension back to heaven? When the resurrected Christ re-entered heaven, He received a welcome like none other in history. He was immediately ushered into the throne room and given back the authority of all power in the universe, the glory He had relinquished for the interlude He spent in the flesh of Jesus. He is King and ruler of the world, managing all the affairs of men; and He is the intercessor for those who believe in Him, taking care that His own brothers receive all the promises made to the righteous in the Bible. If you read the 10 verses in Chapter 3 of Zechariah, you will see how Jesus Christ intervenes for the believer in life’s trials, as well as in his judgment after death. There is a vision of Israel’s high priest Joshua by Zechariah; Joshua is appearing before God in heaven in soiled garments. There Joshua is accused by Satan (who is constantly accusing all Christians of their misdeeds to God, hoping to have them condemned to hell) of wearing stained and messy clothing in God’s presence; Jesus intervenes and orders His angels to put clean and pure clothing (symbolic of how He imputes His righteousness to believers). When Joshua is dressed properly, Christ rebukes Satan saying (paraphrased), “What’s wrong with Joshua now? Isn’t he a brand snatched from the coals (meaning, a sinner snatched from the fires of hell)?” It is important for us to understand that Joshua, as well as all men and all women, cannot make himself pure and righteous; Jesus Christ imparts His sinless nature to cover our sinful natures, just as He did for Joshua.
In the doctrine of our Christian brothers, Roman Catholics, is the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, whose soul presumably is already in heaven, can intercede for Christians who address her in prayer; also, they believe that persons they have beatified as saints, will do the same. However, the Bible says there is only one mediator, and He is Christ.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
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