Today’s Reading: Ezek 47:1–48:35, 1 Thess 1:1–10, Job 39:24–40:2

Today’s Theme: Evidence of Salvation

Today’s theme looks at the evidence of salvation and transformation in the life of the believer. We look at the three qualities of those with saving faith (work of faith, labour of love and steady hope), as well as the four elements of Gospel delivery (Word, Power, Holy Spirit and Conviction).

Ezekiel 47:1–48:35

Rivers of living water

And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.(Ezekiel 47:9, ESV)

I believe this is both literal and symbolic of the Spirit of God. Jesus said out of our belly will flow rivers of living or life giving water, in John 4:14.

Trees of life

And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”(Ezekiel 47:12, ESV)

These trees of life are mentioned by John in revelation too.

There is a reward for you

This shall be for the consecrated priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept my charge, who did not go astray when the people of Israel went astray, as the Levites did.(Ezekiel 48:11, ESV)

If we remain faithful, there is a reward for us and we read about this in Revelation 2-3.

Prince Jesus

“What remains on both sides of the holy portion and of the property of the city shall belong to the prince. Extending from the 25,000 cubits of the holy portion to the east border, and westward from the 25,000 cubits to the west border, parallel to the tribal portions, it shall belong to the prince. The holy portion with the sanctuary of the temple shall be in its midst.(Ezekiel 48:21, ESV)

Jesus is the long awaited Messiah and Prince.

The New Jerusalem

The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.”(Ezekiel 48:35, ESV)

The new Jerusalem in Revelation is parallel with this.

1 Thessalonians 1:1–10

An encouraging greeting

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.(1 Thessalonians 1:1, ESV)

A common greeting from Paul, it is a shame that another common greeting from James has been used to make an excuse for the prosperity gospel. We should greet each other with encouraging words like this.

Three essential qualities

remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Thessalonians 1:3, ESV)

There are three essential qualities in the life of these believers; their work of faith, labour of love and steady hope.

Work of Faith

All the work we do in the kingdom of God must be done through faith in God’s person and His word. Anything we do aside from faith in God is sinful. We have work to do.

Labour of Love

We go beyond just believing and working on those beliefs, we go on to hard labour, going the extra mile, pushing boundaries and doing what is not possible in human strength, all motivated and powered along by the awesome, magnanimous love of God.

Steady Hope

While we work we know we have hope, a steadfast hope in our God who cannot lie and will reward us for the work rendered in His name.

Chosen by God

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,(1 Thessalonians 1:4, ESV)

It is so overwhelming, and comforting to know that we have been chosen by God in His unfathomable grace.

Four elements of Gospel Delivery

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.(1 Thessalonians 1:5, ESV)

Notice the four elements of the delivery of the Gospel message:

Word

The fact that Paul says ‘not only in word’, means that it did come in word but did not stop there. The gospel must be spoken and that which is spoken must be the unchanging word of God.

Power

The word here speaks of ability in delivery of the word of God. Those who preach the gospel have been anointed by God to preach it with accuracy, authority and ability.

Holy Spirit

The supernatural power of the Holy Spirit is the one that brings life and proof to the gospel message, causing it to find its way to a man’s heart and not just his head.

Conviction

All of this is backed up by the earnest heartfelt conviction of the one delivering the gospel message. If we are not convinced, no one else will be convinced.

Live before God in joy

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,(1 Thessalonians 1:6, ESV)

Paul and the brothers’ way of life, caused the saints to become imitators of their conduct and behaviour. As ministers, we lead not only in sharing the word but in living our lives out before God and man.

Do we receive the word of God with joy despite the afflictions that surround us? Notice this is not natural joy, but the joy of the Holy Spirit.

Preach and believe the word

For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.(1 Thessalonians 1:8, ESV)

These believers are good fruit, they did not only receive the word, they preached the word that they had received themselves. This is the biblical model of church planting and discipleship.

Along with the preaching of the word, this church was known for its faith in God which was  demonstrated by its acts of faith.

The evidence of saving faith

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,(1 Thessalonians 1:9, ESV)

This preaching of the word and lives of faith, were evidence of the salvation of these believers and proof of the effective ministry of Paul and the others.

The evidence that we have repented by turning from idols, to serve God instead of idols, should be very clear. God is the only living God.

Wait for Jesus and warn everyone

and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.(1 Thessalonians 1:10, ESV)

Waiting for the return of Christ is an essential part of our faith.

There is great wrath yet to come upon the earth and in the judgement of the afterlife. Jesus is the only one who can deliver us from God’s just wrath, we must warn others to flee the wrath to come.

Job 39:24–40:2

God deserves the credit and glory for creation

“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his wings toward the south?(Job 39:26, ESV)

How dare we, as men, take the glory and credit from Him in creation.

Job’s error exposed

“Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”(Job 40:2, ESV)

Now we know for sure by this statement, that Job was wrong in his later speeches.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Thessalonians 1

Today’s Reading: Ezek 45:1–46:24, Rev 22:1–21, Job 39:11–23

Today’s Theme: The Source of Life

God is the source of all life, from Him flows the river of life, He is the creator and sustainer of the entire universe, this is the God we worship. He has a plan and it will come to pass, so we look forward to the return of Jesus and the restoration of creation.

Ezekiel 45:1–46:24

God takes care of our needs

Another section, 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits broad, shall be for the Levites who minister at the temple, as their possession for cities to live in.(Ezekiel 45:5, ESV)

God is good and so takes care of the needs of His ministers.

There will be peace in Israel

“Thus says the Lord God: Enough, O princes of Israel! Put away violence and oppression, and execute justice and righteousness. Cease your evictions of my people, declares the Lord God.(Ezekiel 45:9, ESV)

The tumult in Israel will end one day and Israel will dwell securely in the land according to this word.

Fulfilled by Jesus

It shall be the prince’s duty to furnish the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings, at the feasts, the new moons, and the Sabbaths, all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel: he shall provide the sin offerings, grain offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings, to make atonement on behalf of the house of Israel.(Ezekiel 45:17, ESV)

If this is symbolic then Jesus fulfilled all of this on the cross. He is the ultimate offering and every one of the feasts and sacrifices point to Jesus the Messiah.

Press forward

“When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed feasts, he who enters by the north gate to worship shall go out by the south gate, and he who enters by the south gate shall go out by the north gate: no one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered, but each shall go out straight ahead.(Ezekiel 46:9, ESV)

Our lives of worship with the Lord require that we set our faces like flint and always push forward, never looking or going back, by God’s grace.

Daily devotion

Thus the lamb and the meal offering and the oil shall be provided, morning by morning, for a regular burnt offering.(Ezekiel 46:15, ESV)

This is symbolic for daily devotional time with God. Just like you need to eat every morning, you need to spend time in the word and in prayer each morning.

Revelation 22:1–217

God is the source of life

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb(Revelation 22:1, ESV)

God is the source of all life and reality itself.

12 fruits

through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.(Revelation 22:2, ESV)

This is no ordinary tree but again points to the symbolism of perfect government, we should be like little trees of life, bearing much and varied fruit in our lives (the fruits of the Spirit).

God’s purpose is to heal the nations.

We look forward to this day

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.(Revelation 22:4, ESV)

We look forward to that glorious day Lord.

We will reign

And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.(Revelation 22:5, ESV)

We will reign forever with Jesus! Hallelujah!

Angels do not receive worship

but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”(Revelation 22:9, ESV)

No true angel will receive worship from man, this is why we know that Jesus and certain theophany’s in the old testament were not angels, Jesus is God.

Repayment is coming

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.(Revelation 22:12, ESV)

Jesus will repay everyone for what they have done, so we need to watch our works before God.

Jesus both root and offspring

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”(Revelation 22:16, ESV)

Jesus is both the creator of the Davidic line and a result of it, in His incarnation.

Come and drink

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.(Revelation 22:17, ESV)

Yes Lord, stir up a great desire in us to come and drink of Your gracious life.

Jesus is coming soon

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!(Revelation 22:20, ESV)

This was written 2000 years ago so the “soon” that Jesus speaks of is not as men understand it, but we should always be ready and eager for His return.

Job 39:11–23

Don’t be an ostrich

She deals cruelly with her young, as if they were not hers; though her labour be in vain, yet she has no fear,(Job 39:16, ESV)

Lord, keep us from being ostrich like parents that leave our children to be exposed to suffering and hurt, it is our holy and joyful privilege and responsibility to protect and care for our children.

Ostrich’s, created fast

When she rouses herself to flee, she laughs at the horse and his rider.(Job 39:18, ESV)

Even though God made ostriches stupid, they sure can run! 🙂

Horses, created brave

He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; he does not turn back from the sword.(Job 39:22, ESV)

God has made horses brave and fit for battle, how awesome is our God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 22

Today’s Reading: Ezek 43:1–44:31, Rev 21:9–27, Job 39:1–10

Today’s Theme: The True Temple

Today’s reading shows us that the true temple is God himself and that we too are the temple of God. If the Holy Spirit is not living in us we are just a dead empty building.

The Great Temple of Jerusalem and even a newly rebuilt temple, all point to their ultimate fulfilment in God Himself, the one in whom we live, move, have our being and worship, in the light of His glory.

Ezekiel 43:1–44:31

God’s glory from the east

And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory.(Ezekiel 43:2, ESV)

Lord, we pray Your glory would come and rise from the east, let Your glory be seen this day throughout Asia and turn hearts towards You.

The Spirit enters the temple / body

As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east,(Ezekiel 43:4, ESV)

Without the Spirit and glory of the Living God, everything we do is dead. Fill us and our works this day O Lord, so that we will not be dead and empty temples.

Bury the dead kings far away

Now let them put away their whoring and the dead bodies of their kings far from me, and I will dwell in their midst forever.(Ezekiel 43:9, ESV)

We must bury our old dead kings, the things of the world and flesh that we once bowed to. We must bury them so far away, so as to put them out of our sight, presence and remembrance. It is like when Abraham wanted to bury his dead out of his sight.

The light of his glory

“As for you, son of man, describe to the house of Israel the temple, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and they shall measure the plan.(Ezekiel 43:10, ESV)

God’s glory, His glorious plans and works should cause us to see our iniquity for the shameful act it is and turn away from it towards His glorious light.

Jesus, without blemish

When you have finished purifying it, you shall offer a bull from the herd without blemish and a ram from the flock without blemish.(Ezekiel 43:23, ESV)

Jesus was our sacrifice without blemish.

Prophecy fulfilled

And the Lord said to me, “This gate shall remain shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it, for the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered by it. Therefore it shall remain shut.(Ezekiel 44:2, ESV)

The Ottoman Turk empire unwittingly fulfilled this prophecy by blocking the eastern or Golden gate through which the Messiah will come, if we take this prophecy as a typological one.

Circumcise your hearts

in admitting foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, to be in my sanctuary, profaning my temple, when you offer to me my food, the fat and the blood. You have broken my covenant, in addition to all your abominations.(Ezekiel 44:7, ESV)

It was clear that the purpose of circumcision in the old testament was meant to be an outward sign of the inward work of heart circumcision. If we follow the pleasures of sin in our hearts then we defile the house of God, the ministry and our own bodies which are His temple.

Don’t work with mere human effort

When they enter the gates of the inner court, they shall wear linen garments. They shall have nothing of wool on them, while they minister at the gates of the inner court, and within.(Ezekiel 44:17, ESV)

Pastor has taught us well, that wool causes us to sweat, speaking of human effort, but linen speaks of work empowered by God and not the flesh of man.

Don’t sweat, let the Spirit work

They shall have linen turbans on their heads, and linen undergarments around their waists. They shall not bind themselves with anything that causes sweat.(Ezekiel 44:18, ESV)

The point about human effort and flesh in ministry, is made clear.

Thank God for our Pastors

They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.(Ezekiel 44:23, ESV)

Ministers of the Gospel are to live lives of holiness and have been charged with the responsibility of training the people to discern well between truth and error.

We should especially appreciate the ministry of our own Pastors in this regard, as they guide us in truth.

Where applicable, we should accept our part of this call in our lives, for the glory of God’s name, for our joy and for the edification of the body of Christ.

God, our inheritance

“This shall be their inheritance: I am their inheritance: and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.(Ezekiel 44:28, ESV)

YES Lord Yes, as a member of Your royal priesthood, I am so glad that I have You as my inheritance. God is the Gospel, God is the gospels aim and end, to have him as our treasure forever.

Revelation 21:9–27

The Bride

Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”(Revelation 21:9, ESV)

This is the Church, the redeemed bride.

12, pointing to God’s government

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.(Revelation 21:14, ESV)

There is much great symbolism here, the twelve angels, twelve tribes and now the twelve apostles as though these all point to and have a role to play in God’s perfect government, as part of His perfect plan.

Angles, the size of men

He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel’s measurement.(Revelation 21:17, ESV)

Angels and humans are similar or the same in size as opposed to new visions claims where Angels are 10 feet tall.

God is the true temple

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.(Revelation 21:22, ESV)

This is the meaning of Ezekiel’s great temple, the temple was always just pointing to the reality of God.

Job 39:1–10

The wonder of creation

Their young ones become strong; they grow up in the open; they go out and do not return to them.(Job 39:4, ESV)

The great wonder for the natural world of God’s creation and the animal world in particular. God shows us the beauty and wisdom of it in His word, long before the naturalist started to celebrate it and worship it aside from Him.

God over nature

“Is the wild ox willing to serve you? Will he spend the night at your manger?(Job 39:9, ESV)

We can’t even tame many animals without inflicting great cruelty, we are not the masters of the universe, God alone is sovereign even over the animal kingdom

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Revelation 21

Today’s Reading: Ezek 41:1–42:20, Rev 20:7–21:8, Job 38:34–41

Today’s Theme: Called to be Overcomers

Today’s theme looks at the call we have to be overcomers in Christ. There are great rewards awaiting us, so let us live holy lives, killing sin, growing in Christ, being fruitful and faithful to the glory of God.

Ezekiel 41:1–42:20

Called to be multifaceted

a human face toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side. They were carved on the whole temple all around.(Ezekiel 41:19, ESV)

The prophetic visions are replete with these creatures that appear to have some symbolic reference to multifaceted personalities, like the Godhead Himself. What are we to learn from this? I think it is that we should have an understanding of our dual natures in Christ (Flesh – man vs Spirit – Lion).

Also we must allow God to use us in multiple ways and know how to use reason as men, and power like lions.

Be holy

He measured it on the four sides. It had a wall around it, 500 cubits long and 500 cubits broad, to make a separation between the holy and the common.(Ezekiel 42:20, ESV)

We should be separate unto the Lord as holy and make clear divisions between the Holy and secular in our lives too.

Revelation 20:7–21:8

The Bible is Epic

And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them,(Revelation 20:9, ESV)

This reads like the best action film ever, what epic events! We need to open our eyes to the literary quality of the bible, it is an engaging narrative revealing God’s truth.

Eternal punishment

and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.(Revelation 20:10, ESV)

The plain teaching of the bible is that hell is eternal punishment.

We will all be held accountable

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.(Revelation 20:12, ESV)

Everything that every person has ever done has all been recorded and we will be held to account for everything. We need the grace of God not only to be saved but to work out our salvation. As Francis Schafer said, now we are saved how should we then live?

He has already written your name

And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.(Revelation 20:15, ESV)

Thank you Lord that in Your love You chose to write our names in Your book of life, from the foundation of the world. How awesome is Your love.

The day we yearn for

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”(Revelation 21:4, ESV)

This is the great day that our hearts yearn for.

Thirsty!

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.(Revelation 21:6, ESV)

Yes Lord, we are thirsty for You. Confess your thirst to God today and drink from His abundant supply.

Called to be overcomers

The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.(Revelation 21:7, ESV)

As saints we must be conquerors and overcomer’s. It is not enough to be a “Christian”, we must be overcomer’s, defeating sin in our lives, growing and being fruitful as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Don’t be cowardly

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”(Revelation 21:8, ESV)

We must be bold and brave in standing for the truth and not like the “cowardly”. You MUST be bold in your stand for God. Fear God, not man.

Job 38:34–41

God has given man understanding

Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?(Job 38:36, ESV)

Wow, this blows me away, and the evolutionary theorist have really bad solutions for this. If man would honestly consider this question then he would give glory to God for the amazing wonder of consciousness, intelligence and understanding.

The Animal Kingdom

Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?(Job 38:41, ESV)

Animals are in communion with God, this is an earth shattering reality.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 21

Today’s Reading: Ezek 39:25–40:49, Rev 19:11–20:6, Job 38:25–33

Today’s Theme: Star Creator

It is just amazing to consider that God created the stars and constellations, it is this same powerful God that will restore Israel and defeat evil.

Ezekiel 39:25–40:49

Israel, regathered to God’s glory

when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies’ lands, and through them have vindicated my holiness in the sight of many nations.(Ezekiel 39:27, ESV)

Israel will be the vindication of God’s holiness to all nations and at the same time, the act of regathering will be instrumental in Israel themselves being saved.

Set your heart

And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel.”(Ezekiel 40:4, ESV)

We need to be really deliberate in what we look at and listen to. We should guard our eyes and ears. We should live a life of purpose, setting our hearts to do all that the Lord shows and tells us.

God has detailed plans

The length of the vestibule was twenty cubits, and the breadth twelve cubits, and people would go up to it by ten steps. And there were pillars beside the jambs, one on either side.(Ezekiel 40:49, ESV)

This precise measurement and all the others in this passage, show how precise and detailed God is in His plans. To be so detailed, He needs to be sovereign in power to perform His plan.

Revelation 19:11–20:6

The Word of God

He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.(Revelation 19:13, ESV)

The mighty Word of God, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

The final battle

And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.(Revelation 19:19, ESV)

The final great battle where evil will ultimately be defeated.

The devil will be bound

And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,(Revelation 20:2, ESV)

The serpent that became a dragon – the devil – is bound for 1000 years, the enemy is defeated.

The 1st Resurrection

Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.(Revelation 20:6, ESV)

We should live in a way that we are able to be a part of the first resurrection and reign with Christ.

Job 38:25–33

For His own pleasure

to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man,(Job 38:26, ESV)

God does amazing things that no one else will ever see, to bring Himself glory and pleasure.

God controls the stars

“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?(Job 38:31, ESV)

These are star constellations, God is the one who breathed the stars into existence.

Constellations created by God

Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children?(Job 38:32, ESV)

Star constellations were made by God as signs in the heavens, later corrupted by astrologers when they lost their original meaning.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 20