HELLO INTERNET LAND

 Hello internet land

 

 

Hello internet land. This is Bob D. We worked really hard to give you every article I ever wrote. Just in October of this year (2021) we posted 20 verse by verse articles on the book of John, 5 verse by verse articles on Isaiah chapter 53 and many verse by verse articles on the book of Revelation. Actually all writings on the book of Revelation (verse by verse) have been posted this year (2021) but not every one was posted in October. I also felt the Lord was leading me to share an article with you titled, "Left behind and the Gospel of the Kingdom." This will be the opening writing because I feel the bride of Christ is really close to the rapture at this juncture in prophetic history.

 

As I was silent and still before the Lord I felt the Holy Spirit prodding me to work with Zelma and post all articles. His return is any second now (the rapture) and I hope you are as excited as I am while we watch for our Blessed Hope who is Jesus Christ Himself. The world is completely spinning out of control but the Bible gives every true believer in Christ assurance that we will be spared the wrath of God because as His children we are not under the judgment of God but the love and protection of God. Do not lose hope, be encouraged by the promises of God in context and always abide in Jesus Christ. Our Lord is coming soon so keep looking up! 

 

Love in Christ,

Bob D.

LEFT BEHIND AND THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM

 

 

Left Behind and the Gospel of the Kingdom  

 

My goal is to explain left behind and the Gospel of the Kingdom in such a simple way that a young child will understand this future prophetic reality that will take place in the next dispensation after the rapture. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ who has that blessed assurance of the soon to be rapture of the Church then you want to do as much for God now in this present time. In some cases Christians may be led to leave left behind materials in your home so family, friends or even strangers can look it over and decide for themselves what decision to make regarding Jesus Christ and their hearts. Then they will have a clear understanding as to where all the Christians went (Heaven) and how they are to look at the coming tribulation period from a Biblical point of view.

 

I want anyone that is left behind to understand how much God really does love them and what they can do to accept this insurmountable love into their very own hearts. For those people that are really searching for answers I did not think it was my place to say "Hey guys I'm going to be raptured soon. Here are a couple of things - - best to you." If I were left behind (assuming that I am still living) and some of my family members and friends were missing I would be searching for the truth and would want simplicity. Bible, history and detail. After all the greatest event in the history of mankind has just taken place. Christians are missing and the news is probably saying aliens have abducted them in a U.F.O. This is just a guess but I actually think they will talk in that direction.

 

I would like to redirect my writing to the people left behind and talk about the subject of fear. In Revelation 21:8 the Holy Spirit lists eight sins (strongholds) that could cake up like concrete in the human heart and keep a person from accepting Jesus Christ into their hearts. In essence they have chosen the stronghold/strongholds over Jesus Christ. They made their choice. They unfortunately chose death. Jesus Christ is life.

 

The very first sin (stronghold) mentioned in this list is fear. We (the Body of Christ; Church) are living in the closing moments / seconds of the church age and even in this dispensation there is a lot of fear. The news will talk about fear and bad news because it sells but quite frankly there is almost no good news to report. Some Christian leaders talk about fear and they call it the Gospel but it is what the Bible refers to as "Another Gospel." Gal.1:6. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom but this is holy and reverential as opposed to cold oppression in the soul that usually takes the form of hyper anxiety.

 

I could list a whole host of horrible things that happened in the world. Fear became the companion of most people but very few people bothered to ask, "What is it?" Just because fear is our companion does not mean we understand this emotion. If anything we probably will not because fear is irrational by nature. God put fear into you to be directed back at Him in a holy reverential way. He wants to use it for His glory in your life. You must worship somebody or something in your life because the Bible says, " Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." Exodus 20:3. In Psalm 145:18 -19, the Bible says, "He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them."

 

A person will have one or the other (A) Fear in the world or (B) A holy reverential fear for God. There is no in between because fear is already inside of us so you have to make a choice. Of course there are different degrees of fear in the world and there are different degrees of reverential fear for God. There will be much talk of fear after the rapture of the church and there will be much fear on planet earth. There is already extreme uncertainly now and it will get way worse after the great snatching away of the body of Christ. People will have to come to terms with what the Bible says about fear. You will also have to understand that regardless of what cosmetics take place in the world the crux of the matter will be, "Who will you worship" and this subject will become more animated in the seven year tribulation period.

 

I mentioned that fear is the first sin ( stronghold) in Revelation 21:8 and I would like to say that it is just the opposite of true faith in Jesus Christ. It is also the opposite of the love of God. In 1st John 4:18 the Bible says " There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

 

Self-preservation is our number one drive in life according to many studies taken on the subject. This very much involves fear. Before the "Fall" Adam and Eve were not self-preservationists. When Adam sinned fear became very much part of our world. During the tribulation period fear will be at an all time high. Remember faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God. Romans 10:17. If you read the Bible with a sincere heart fear will be translated to faith in God; however, we must be earnest, honest, and sincere with a heart that is transparent before God. Our Father in heaven will search our heart out because He knows the secrets of our soul. Psalm 44:21. He knows everything. There is not one thing God does not know. As Believers in Jesus Christ when we get to heaven remember the Bible says, "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24.

 

In this dispensation God will still have His message of love and grace. His Son died on the Cross as the perfect sacrificial atonement for the sins of people because He never sinned and He rose from the dead on the third day. I marvel at the plan of God for salvation because it so simple. All one has to do is accept His Son into his or her heart by faith and the individual will be saved; however, if one chooses law or some other way apart from Jesus Christ God will give him or her what they desire in their heart. Most people know the old saying, "You may get what you want but you may not want what you get.".

 

Jesus Christ is just about to rapture His true children out of the earth into His home which is heaven. The world talks about Revelation chapter 13 everyday in a direct or an indirect way and that is just one sign out of at least 20 different signs. There is most certainly more than 20 clues that our Almighty Lord Jesus is just about to resurrect His children home.

 

This article is called, "Left Behind and The Gospel of The Kingdom." What I am going to do is write about what is explicitly stated in Scripture relative to the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom. I am going to explain what is implied in Scripture with optimistic caution. Obviously an explicit verse is far easier to understand than a set of verses that are implied. In Matthew 24 and 25 Jesus talks about the seven year tribulation period. Starting in Matthew 24:4 and going all the way through Matthew 25 Jesus specifically warns about deception, wars and rumors of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes and then He says in verse 8 that, "these are the beginning of sorrows." I would say Jesus is describing a world completely out of control. Some of this is happening right now as we converse.

 

People usually don't approach fear correctly in their hearts when times get really bad so they are betraying one another according to this text in the Bible. Hatred rather than love is the overruling emotion. In fact two verses down from verse ten Jesus talks about iniquity abounding and people's love waxing cold. This is what sin does and betrayal and hatred is the end result. This always leads to death. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ." Romans 6:23. Here people have a choice to let sins and strongholds dictate to them on how they will think and act (hatred) or to accept Jesus Christ into their hearts by faith and allow His love to permeate their lives. This is not easy but it is biblical.

 

Love and hate are both powerful emotions but with hatred you have to keep feeding it again and again. It is always hungry and never satisfied. There will never be any real sense of closure with this emotion. On the other hand there is a contentment of peace about the love of God in our hearts. If you choose Jesus Christ He offers that comfort and this will dwell in your heart. Your life will radiate the presence of God. This will spiral into eternity. 

 

The tribulation period is not so much a physical battle as much as it is a struggle for the souls of men and women. Jesus talks about false prophets deceiving one another, the antichrist, the Jewish people fleeing for their lives and if all of this were not bad enough Jesus says, "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." Matthew 24:21.Then in verse 22 Jesus actually comes out and takes the reader to the end of the seven year tribulation and talks about rescuing Israel at the climax of the Battle of Armageddon. This is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Of course the world is in turmoil at this time but remember God is still in perfect control. Jesus backs up and gets a little more specific about the end of the seven year tribulation period. He then explains going deeper into Matthew chapter 25 that He arrives at His Second Advent (Second Coming) and gets into a lengthy discourse regarding His deliberation of judgment when He arrives on earth.

 

The title of this article is "Left Behind and the Gospel of the Kingdom" so I specifically want to focus my attention on this particular reality that will take place in the 7 year tribulation period. I shared with you from Scripture most of the terrible things in Matthew 24 (The Tribulation period); however, couched in verse 14 the Bible says " And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the World for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14.

 

In the book of Revelation the people that are coming to know the Lord Jesus Christ are accepting Him by faith. "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Je'sus." Revelation 14:12. It says the same thing in Revelation chapter 13. "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." Revelation 13:10. The Kingdom (Gospel of the Kingdom) is referring to the 1000 year millennial reign of Jesus Christ. We in this church age beckon people to accept Jesus Christ into their hearts so they will be part of the bride of Jesus Christ and go up in the rapture of the Church. If you have not accepted the Lord into your heart and you are on this side of the rapture by all means today is the day of salvation. It would not be wise to tarry on that all important eternal decision because as of this writing we are seconds away from the great snatching of the bride.

 

Jesus knew all along that He was going to be rejected because He said,  "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." John 16:7. Jesus Christ died on the Cross, rose from the dead, and showed Himself alive after His Resurrection for 40 days talking about the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). The Bible says, "And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight." Acts 1:9.

 

The Church (Body of Christ) will be removed with the Restrainer (Holy Spirit) and we will go to Heaven. On earth a new dispensation will start but what I want to focus on is not the bad news but the good news of Jesus Christ and His wonderful message of the Gospel of the Kingdom for this soon coming dispensation.

 

Remember God makes us perfect through His Son Jesus Christ though His simple message of salvation. If you decide to accept Jesus into your heart then God will see you as perfect because He will be looking at you through His Son Jesus Christ. God the Father will look at the Cross and through the empty Resurrection Tomb and see you as if you never even sinned but for this to be a reality in your life you have to make a decision to accept Him into your heart. If an individual is sincerely accepting Jesus into his or her heart obviously there is true repentance of sin in their spirit. Salvation is a work of God and just think it is just one simple prayer of accepting the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart. Then we live for Him in obedience and once again faith in an All knowing, All Seeing God who understands everything about our lives.

 

Wherever you are in life as you are reading this I hope you are starting to be convinced with conviction that Jesus Christ wants to come into your life and commune with you. The devil will throw roadblock after roadblock of deceptions to convolute the simple plan of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. According to the Bible Jesus Christ will be worshipped for all eternity, not the Devil. Isaiah 66:22 - 24 and Revelation chapters 21 - 22. The Devil will fail in his attempt to usurp the throne of God and ultimately be cast into the Lake of Fire for all eternity. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Revelation 20:10.  

 

All of the prophetic program of God will be instituted not just the gospel of the kingdom being preached around the world. I believe this is the best news because people's eternal destinies are being changed from death to life in the Person of Jesus Christ. They will spend eternity with the Lamb of God in Heaven. I can not imagine spending eternity without Him.

 

Love in Christ,
Bob D.

 

THE COURAGE OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS RESURRECTION POWER.

 

The courage of Jesus Christ and His resurrection power

 

 

 

 

 

Let me just quote the passage then I will give you an analysis on the text.

 

(18) "Then answered the Jews and said unto Him, What sign showest Thou unto us, seeing that Thou doest theses things? (19) Je'sus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (20) Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt Thou rear it up in three days? (21) But He spoke of the temple of His body. (22) When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Je'sus had said. (23) Now when He was in Je - ru' sa - lem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in His name, when they saw the miracles which He did. (24) But Je'sus did not commit Himself unto them, because He knew all men, (25) And needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man." John 2: 18 - 25.

 

In verse eighteen the Jewish people selling in the temple for filthy lucre asked Jesus in essence what authority do you have to do what you just did to us. They did not object to their offense because they collectively understood they were guilty. Remember in context Jesus held no official earthy office.

 

Jesus immediately talks about His death and resurrection. He had no interest in an elected position in this world. He explained this to them in figurative terms so of course they did not understand because their logic was worldly. Jesus tended to speak in parables to those He knew were willingly ignorant. I know people like this and from my experience they tend to reject what I am saying very fast.

 

Specifically Jesus said, " Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." This type of figurative speech was used against Jesus at His trial before His crucifixion. He had to know this would be a legal thing in the future but Jesus still chose to express Himself in this way during His conversation with the Jewish people in the temple. This is quite similar to Jesus knowing His beard was going to be torn off before His death but He refused to shave it off His face. This brings brand new meaning to courage.

 

Our Lord knew from the very beginning that He was going to suffer beyond imagination yet Jesus seemed to not only embrace this future reality but cheerfully went into His ministry knowing the paradigm of His personal call for God the Father. I really need to learn from Jesus Christ.

 

When Jesus said," In three days I will raise it up" He was explaining His resurrection by His own power. I remember a Christian was trying to reach a very famous Jewish person and this particular man responded, "What is so big about the resurrection? Other people in the Bible were raised from the dead." Well he was correct in that other people were raised from the dead in the Bible, then they died but Jesus Christ raised Himself from the dead and never again died.

 

Jesus had a way of explaining spiritual truths in context based on the situation that everyone was in at the present moment. In the most general terms Jesus explained what He just did ( the purging in the temple; the people that were making profit for the love of money) to explain His future death and resurrection.

 

When the Jewish people responded to Jesus they said, "Forty and six years was this temple in building" so they knew that it took a very long time to construct a temple.

 

They had no clue what Jesus was saying but I can't blame them. I wouldn't comprehend what Jesus was saying either if I were in their shoes at that point in history. I do not even believe His disciples understood but I'm sure after Jesus's resurrection they remembered His words. This just goes to show that even if we do not understand a theological truth that is presented to us we should store this in our minds and hearts.

 

They certainly did not understand the Power of Jesus Christ but hopefully they got a really good lesson when the Son of Man taught and did miracles in Jerusalem for a very short time.

 

When Jesus said destroy this temple He was either referring To His body or the temple of His body. I do not know the answer to this question. The temple is the habitation of the glory of God so this is just one reason the only way to get to God The Father is through Jesus Christ.

 

The particular Bible passage says Jesus did preach and work miracles for a short time and many came forward to believe but the Son of God did not commit Himself unto them. What we need to understand about God is He knows everything about us. If Jesus did indeed see a lack of commitment in the middle of their conversation He obviously trusted His disciples in a very deep way.

 

People would do best to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord with a decision to walk with Him very closely on a daily basis. You see Jesus knew their hearts and something was holding Him back from deeper fellowship with them. What better time to abide in Jesus Christ moment by moment?

 

Love in Christ,

Bob D.             

 

  

THE PURGING OF OUR SOULS PART ONE.

 

The purging of our souls   Part One

 

 

 

 

 

This is an outstanding study on how God deals with flesh in our souls. The Triune Godhead understands exactly how to put pressure on and in our circumstances because God lives outside of time. If we have sin lingering in our souls --- well that is what this article is all about so I will quote the passage and then get right into this interesting study.

 

(12) "After this He went down to Capernaum, He, and His mother, and His brethren, and His disciples : and they continued there not many days. (13) And the Jews' Passover was at hand, and Je'sus went up to Je - ru -' sa - lem, (14) And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: (15) And when He had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; (16) And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My Father's house an house of merchandise. (17) And His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up." John 2: 12 - 17.

 

Most of this passage focuses on Jesus traveling to Capernaum and then up to Jerusalem to commemorate Passover which is the first feast out of seven. Most people know the story that our Righteous Master made a scourge and went to a specific section of the temple and drove out unrighteousness but I would like to say there is much more detail to this particular juncture of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.

 

Jesus traveled from Cana of Galilee to Capernaum which was not a short distance for walking. Jesus considered this place His earthly home because the Bible says, "And He entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into His own city." Matthew 9:1. This verse is talking about Capernaum.

 

If people have an earthly house they usually try and stay a long time because there is nothing quite like home but the Son of Man just visited this place and did not stay long.

 

One spiritual application is Peter said we are just pilgrims passing through earth so we can not get to comfortable in this world because we are not staying. This is not our home.

 

Another spiritual application is it is just plain sad if Jesus does not stay long. When He went to Jerusalem many people did believe in His name but in John 2: 24 - 25 the Bible says Jesus Himself had reservations about staying in this place. Remember there are entire countries in this world that had the Son of God visit them and He was kicked out so as a result He departed because Jesus was not welcomed. In all fairness Capernaum did not seem hostile to the Son of Man but it was still their loss. We as believers in Christ should be asking, "Jesus please make your presence in my spirit and let me have fellowship with you."

 

Jesus never traveled alone so in this case His mother, disciples and brethren walked with Him. They recognized His doctrine and miracles. They knew there was something very different about Jesus Christ. He spoke and acted with authority but what this small crowd was really looking for is divine truth from heaven. They were used to unrighteous teachers that spoke only of the law. 

 

This group got to spend more time with Jesus than the people in Capernaum. They all aimed to be placed under the guidance of Jesus Christ. We have the same goal because this is the very essence of a follower of our Great Teacher. They all desired to learn of Him so they walked wherever Jesus went to the end of His earthly destination. We need to do the same thing. We need to rest in the yoke of Jesus Christ and learn of Him.

 

When Jesus arrived in Capernaum He was intent on Keeping Passover which was in Jerusalem. Our Lord followed the law exactly so of course He not only went but probably never missed Passover in Jerusalem since He was twelve years old.

 

Jesus desired to go straight to the temple before He made a public appearance. The very first thing Jesus did was purge the temple. He went straight to the court of the gentiles, made a scourge and drove out the sheep, oxen and those that sold them. The very first thing the Son of Man did was purge out that which was sinful and selfish.

 

This applies to us as believers in Christ because often times we have our, "Court of the gentiles." Jesus will get His scourge out and start swinging because flesh is enmity to God. "Flesh" is that independent nature that rises up against God in either a blunt or not so direct way. Whether aggressive or passive it is still acting separate from the Triune Godhead. 

 

We were created for a jealous God. "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and forth generation of them that hate Me." Exodus 20:5.

 

If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ please consider the One True God that created you for Him rather than worship and serve some false God that will die. Eternal life is way better than eternal death.

 

God bless you,

Bob D.         

THE PURGING OF OUR SOULS PART TWO

 

The purging of our souls Part Two

 

 

 

 

 

This is part two from the text in John 2 : 2 - 17. If you desire to read the passage please go to, "The purging of our souls part one. This is such an important subject because our hearts need to be reformed which spirals into our lives. As a result we live for Jesus Christ.

 

Their particular offense was selling in the temple for filthy lucre. Many churches fell because of the love for money. Many churches are deceiving people as we converse because of the love of money.

 

Jesus did not confront the chief priests but took the matter in His own hands. I must have had much flesh in my life because the circumstantial pressure God orchestrated in my life was beyond painful but that reality is way better than the fires of hell.

 

Notice in this account Jesus never once exercised force to bring people into the temple but drove out corruption from the temple. God is not going to force anyone to come to His Son Jesus Christ but He will discipline His children. At the risk of repeating myself this option is way better than the fires of hell. In one way or another we are getting burned but salvation in Jesus Christ is burning for righteousness. Living our lives apart from God and doing our own thing is burning for eternity.

 

I look at my own life and am very glad God burned flesh out of my spirit. How many people in hell are regretting this reality did not take place in their spirit and life?

 

Jesus also poured out the money from the people that charged showing His contempt for their love of economic gain. The overflowing of the tables represented His displeasure against making church into worldly profit. 

 

He spoke verbally to the money chargers and said, ... "Make not My Father's house an house of merchandise." There is nothing wrong with the selling of products but not in church. This is robbing God because the good news of the gospel should be free. Freely we have received so freely we should give. Even His disciples remembered an Old Testament verse that says, "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached Thee are fallen upon me." Psalm 69:9. How much did God give us as believers in Christ? I don't even know the answer to that question but I can tell you it is not able to be measured by people.

 

Human beings do not honestly thrust after the truths of God because of secular interest. One has nothing to do with the other. They are polar opposites not even remotely related to each other. One is dust and the other is eternal life. If we as Christians pursue dust at the expense of pursuing biblical eternal truths Jesus will step in and purge out the flesh.

 

Notice nobody assisted Jesus in the purging and no person resisted the scourge. Who can help or resist God?

 

If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ you need to ask yourself a fundamental question --- how do I want to be burned? We will all be burned but I would rather be purged as a Christian than be burned in the eternal fires of hell.

 

God bless you,

Bob D.       

THE NEW COVENANT OF JESUS CHRIST

 

The new covenant of Jesus Christ

 

 

 

This is a very interesting study so the very first thing I want to do is quote the passage from the Bible.

 

"Je'sus saith unto them, fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them to the brim. (8) And He saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. (9) When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whece it was : (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, (10) And saith unto him, every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse; but thou hath kept the good wine unto now. (11) This beginning of miracles did Je'sus in Ca'na of Gal'i -- lee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him." John 2: 7 - 11.

 

First Jesus had incredible authority by telling the servants to fill the waterpots with water and it is interesting that although these people probably did not know the Son of God they did not even hesitate to do the task.

 

When they finished Jesus told the servants to give it to the governor (the person in charge of the wedding). The ruler of the feast tasted the water that was made wine and this passed inspection with flying colors. Keep in mind the governor did not know this was a miracle. He thought this was business as usual. The servants knew something divine was going on and I thought about their whole situation and said this is exactly the way it is in our world.

 

Only a few servants of Jesus Christ will understand the glory of God. Everyone else will be business as usual. Very few people understood that Jesus Christ performed a miracle. This is vastly different than many of these faith healers who want to put on this show and deceive the masses. I am not saying they are all false but I will say one wise minister that was one of the top servants of Jesus Christ of all time would always go in the backround and the elders would lay hands on the sick person. If the individual was healed by God he never received any credit.

 

The Holy Spirit also impressed on me that I can witness to 20 people and just pour my heart out about Jesus Christ and the urgency of the times we are living in, but at best only a few will have ears to hear the gospel and the need to live for God. Most people just want to do what they want to do but do not realize that will lead them into sin which separates us from God.

 

In verse ten the governor of the feast gave the usual speech and in essence said drink freely. Once again I believe the average person did not even know a miracle took place in Ca'na of Gal'i -- ee.

 

This was the first miracle Jesus did but the reason was so His glory could be manifested to His disciples so they would believe on Him.

 

Let me recap this whole biblical passage. The amount of water to wine was about 20 to 30 gallons. That is amazing. Jesus Christ came to bring in the grace of the gospel. The containers by which Jesus performed this miracle was stone and not able to retain the scent of formal liquors which represents the New Covenant through Jesus Christ because if there was a scent that would be impure. Jesus Christ never sinned and became our perfect sacrificial atonement for our sins. Do you see how important it is for us to confess our transgressions before God through Jesus Christ?

 

The Son of God did not say a word to perform this miracle but just willed the water to be turned into wine. He desired to give knowledge and grace about Himself.

 

The wine was the very best representing Jesus Christ Himself. Remember this wine was sanctioned by the governor who may have been a priest or Levite.

 

The Old Testament did have celebrations. "Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord; neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is our strength." Nehemiah 8:10.

 

At this wedding the food and drinks were represented of the beautiful gifts of God's bounty to us as His children. This part is obvious but the part that is not so simple is this is a test from God to see if we will abuse His grace for sinful purposes. It will sometimes be hard to be content in the Person of Jesus Christ but this is the narrow way into heaven.

 

This was the very first miracle but Jesus Christ is the greatest gift that could possible come into our hearts. A miracle is temporary but Jesus Christ is eternal. Jesus Christ did manifest His glory but He at this point proved Himself to be the Son of God. His disciples believed on Him in a much stronger way and that is what God is trying to do in our life. He desires to strengthen our faith in Him especially in difficult times which is when so many people fall away from the faith.

 

If you are not redeemed through the shed blood of Jesus Christ now may be a good time to accept Jesus Christ into your heart as Savior and Lord by repenting of your sins and inviting the Son of God into your life. If you just made this decision live for Him, repent of your sins if you find yourself transgressing before God, allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart and be the profitable servant for the kingdom of God for the right reasons. In short live for Jesus Christ. We find our hope in the Bible and we communicate to God through prayer. This will not always be easy but the will of God is What He desires from us so we will be fit for the Kingdom of God.

 

God bless you,

Bob D.      

FEASTING WITH JESUS CHRIST PART ONE

 

Feasting with Jesus Christ Part One

 

 

We have now arrived at one of the most interesting passages in the book of John. Let me quote the verses I will be going over so you can get a feel for this subject.

 

(1) "AND the third day there was a marriage in Ca'na of Gal'i - lee; and the mother of Je'sus was there: (2) And both Je'sus was called, and His disciples, to the marriage. (3) And when they wanted wine, the mother of Je'sus saith unto Him, They have no wine. (4) Je'sus saith unto her, Women, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come. (5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. (6) And there were set there six water - pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. John 2: 1 - 6.

 

The Bible teaches that this was a true story of Christ's miraculous conversation of water into wine at a marriage in Cana of Galilee. 

 

In the Old Testament Jesus Christ did miracles of necessity in the wilderness because they needed food.

 

This particular miracle that Jesus Christ did was on the third day after He came into Galilee. There is an order of occurrences for this miracle. Once the Son of God started His ministry He was extremely busy and never complained regarding His work. Cana of Galilee was a very obscure place in the world. When Jesus did or said something in Jerusalem He tended to get much resistance. In Cana of Galilee theses people tended to be more simple and were very receptive to who Jesus was and what He did for them. The irony is the Son of God had a special love for Jerusalem. Did you ever notice that the simple common person is more open to know about Jesus Christ? 

 

What was the occasion? This was a marriage. The earthly mother of Jesus attended this event. There is a special honor to this unity between this man and lady because the Son of God was present at this marriage. So we see the presence of God and the very first miracle of Jesus Christ.

 

In that day marriages were usually celebrated with festivals. The two main guests in this celebration were the Son of God and His earthy mother. Jesus was called, came and feasted with them. By the way that is what our Lord and Savior desires to do in our life as His children.

 

A marriage should be blessed by Jesus Christ Himself. How is a marriage going to last if this is not present? This takes prayer and if sincere I am sure Jesus Christ will come to the event. One of the truths I have found in a relationship is all we have is our honesty with each other so in like manner earnest intercession to God for the sanctifying of the earthly fellowship is not only essential but comforting. This is not a one time prayer but in my opinion should be done everyday. I have seen the all time greatest marriages fail and end up in divorce.

 

The disciples of Jesus were also invited to this wedding because at this point in time they had entrusted themselves upon His care. This is exactly where Jesus Christ desires our walk to be in Him. It is interesting to me that His followers knew the Son of God had no money. This is a far cry from today's servants who always want to get something out of their service to God, especially the leaders.

 

They had pure motives and desired to engage in objective good for the kingdom of God. In light of this event they were feasting with Jesus Christ at a festival. Notice how simple this was because wherever Jesus went they followed Him. This is the key --- a simple fellowship with our Father in heaven as we "Follow" Him.

 

If we feast with our Savior and Master this is the polar opposite of sinning in our flesh. It is either one or the other. There is no in between. One leads to spiritual life and one leads to spiritual death. (6) "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8: 6 - 8.

 

What was needed at this event? Wine. Usually much was provided but at this point there was a depletion. The mother of Jesus solicited Him to assist her friends because this is what it says in verses 3 - 5. First she explains the difficulty they were in and in like manner we are to go to our Lord and acquaint our Father with our abstract circumstances. She simply said they have no wine. There are various answers ministers will give regarding if this was alcohol or some other non alcohol type of wine. Since the Old Testament says that God does not put His approval on alcohol I would probably say this was non alcohol. Keep in mind Mary never saw Jesus even do a miracle at this point. She just knew I must ask the Son of God for help. Mary could verbally go to Jesus but we must go to Him through prayer. We can never prescribe to Him how to handle the situation but in a humble way present our case to Him. This is up to Jesus Christ Himself.

 

Jesus answered with a rebuke --- women what have I to do with thee. Did you ever notice that if we are a true child before God the Triune Godhead (God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit) are very interested in rebuking and chastening their children? This is one way we know we are a true child of God.

 

Notice He calls her women not mother. In essence Jesus was saying in this particular context you are my child. Mary was looking to the Son of God as her Father. We can be frail, foolish and corrupt. Mary could not handle the situation so she went for divine help. We may be very distinguished in life but we can not forget ourselves and our place before God. Helpless in our own strength. We can not work a miracle in our flesh. 

 

This is the end of Part One so until next time have a good day or night wherever you are in this world.   Bob D.